Regional cooperation programme to improve the training of TVET personnel (RECOTVET I)

Project description

Title: Regional cooperation programme to improve the training of TVET personnel (RECOTVET)
Commissioned by: German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ)
Country: Viet Nam (programme headquarters) and other ASEAN member states
Overall term: 2014 to 2017

Context

At the end of 2015, the 10 member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) created a common area for their economies, social development and security with the aim of dismantling existing disparities. ASEAN integration involves the free exchange between ASEAN states of goods, services, investments, capital and, with some restrictions, qualified workers.

These regional developments have far-reaching consequences for efforts to reform technical and vocational education and training (TVET) in individual countries. Strategies and policies for TVET have so far largely been developed at national level, and the various TVET systems do not take sufficient account of the increasingly integrated job market at regional level.

The scope and quality of the educational services offered by national TVET institutions have not yet been adapted to the new requirements. There is a particular lack of skilled managers, vocational teachers and teacher trainers who are able to proficiently carry out training and management duties in TVET institutions.

Objective

The foundations are in place for improving the quality of TVET specialists’ and managers’ education and training and for harmonising this education and training at regional level in terms of human and institutional resources and content.

Approach

The RECOTVET programme is strengthening regional cooperation in ASEAN member states in order to improve the effectiveness of TVET. A large number of measures are being carried out in three fields of activity:

  1. Regional political dialogue. Key actors from national and regional government institutions and from the private sector meet twice a year in regional forums for political dialogue. They discuss regional and national challenges as well as the proposed solutions for improving the quality of TVET and harmonising the work of TVET personnel. Political dialogue is also supported by three regional groups that submit proposals for reform and position papers.
  2. Demand-oriented non-university education and training for TVET personnel in South-East Asia. Measures are focusing on designing, implementing and evaluating labour market-related TVET programmes. Workshops, training courses and study trips are being run to train:

    – multipliers as well as specialists and managers from ministries
    – trainers of vocational teacher trainers and of managers in vocational training institutions
    – young academics working on the Regional Cooperation Platform for Training and In-Service for Training of Teachers and Managers in Vocational Schools in Asia (RCP)
     
  3. Regional Cooperation Platform for Training and In-Service Training of Teachers and Managers in Vocational Schools in Asia (RCP). The RCP network makes evidence-based findings and studies available to feed into political dialogue and is adjusting its approach to reflect the new socio-economic conditions in the ASEAN member states. This includes building stronger links with the private sector and highlighting the key skills required for the 21st century.

Results

  • The programme has supported the ASEAN Secretariat in devising and implementing the ASEAN Work Plan on Education 2016–2020.
  • Five regional political dialogue forums on harmonising and improving the quality of TVET have been carried out in close collaboration with the ASEAN Secretariat, the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), and national employment and education ministries.
  • A regional vocational teaching standard has been jointly devised with the participation of eight ASEAN member states in collaboration with the Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organization’s Regional Centre for Vocational and Technical Education and Training (SEAMEO VOCTECH).
  • A regional quality assurance model for TVET has been developed in cooperation with the ASEAN Secretariat.
  • 67 multipliers from the CLMV countries (Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Viet Nam) and Indonesia have been trained in training vocational teachers and upskilling managers in vocational training institutions. One of the aims of the training measures is to develop transfer projects that will stimulate institutional change processes.
  • The programme has helped SEAMEO VOCTECH to develop and set up a regional knowledge platform.
  • It has also supported the RCP Network on the development of three studies:
  1. implementing public-private partnerships at universities in the area of TVET
  2. developing regional standards for TVET personnel
  3. devising approaches that will ensure the launch of inclusive TVET in South-East Asia.