3rd International TVET Conference in July

Friday, 6 June 2014 01:03 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Theme is based on enhancement of skills for social integration, inclusive growth and sustainable development By Sarah Hannan The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Skills Development (MYASD) together with the Deutsche Gesellschaft fur Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) will host the third international conference on Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) on 15-16 July at the Galadari Hotel. The conference coincides with the ‘National Skills Day’ announced by President Mahinda Rajapaksa which falls on 15 July. The main objective of the conference is to provide inputs for shaping TVET as a means to achieve social integration, inclusive growth and sustainable development. Current issues in tvet and how they relate to achieving social integration, inclusive growth and sustainable development will be highlighted during the conference. Presentations and discussions will focus on lessons learnt and challenges faced by those engaged in the sector in implementing vocational training and skills development programs in different contexts throughout the world.

Many renowned dignitaries representing the TVET sector are expected to participate. They will present papers n successful projects and experiences along these key thematic areas during this two-day event. Presenting the outline of the conference at a media briefing held recently, GIZ vocational Training in the North Senior Advisor Kumudhini Rosa, drawing out a quote from the CHOGM 2013 speech delivered by President Mahinda Rajapaksa, stated: “‘Growth with Equity: Inclusive Development’ was the theme proposed by our President and has broad relevance to the larger Commonwealth, and highlights the importance of equity in economic development, particularly in view of the existing disparities in the distribution of wealth, and economic benefits.” Rosa also stated that the conference is supported through partnering by the German Development Bank KfW (Kreditanstalt fur Wiederaufbau), The Asian Development Bank (ADB), The World Bank, The Korean International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), International Labour Organisation (ILO) and the Australian Government’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. The conference will be attended by 150 participants from Sri Lanka and 50 participants from Germany, UK, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Malaysia, Australia and New Zealand. “GIZ has played a major role in uplifting the vocational training sector in Sri Lanka and has a bilateral development cooperation between the two countries have existed for over 60 years. TVET is one of the main focuses of GIZ and we have rolled out vocational training programs for women and youth,” GIZ Sri Lanka and Maldives Country Director Randa Kourieh-Ranarivelo noted. She also pointed out that the GIZ works in partnership with the Sri Lankan Government, non-government organisations and the private sector, providing technical assistance to projects and initiatives based on local requirements. Referring to the German context, Ambassador to the Federal Republic of Germany to Sri Lanka and Maldives Jeurgen Morhard said: “In Germany more than 50% of the youth have undergone vocational training after completing their secondary education. Good quality primary and secondary education complemented by relevant training is key and TVET helps to build solid bridges between the world of work and training by matching skills to the existing job market.” “With the announcement of a national skills day our President has shown a commitment towards skills development in Sri Lanka. The theme of this conference is very appropriate to our country since we are recovering from a war which ended recently. As a country which is dependent on an exam based education system we face challenges when it comes to recruiting skilled labour. Therefore vocational training and skill development programs needs to be in place so that the workforce can move up the value chain to avoid the middle-income trap,” Deputy Minister of Education and the Monitoring MP of the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Skills Development Mohan Lal Grero stated. The conference comes at an appropriate time in the history of Sri Lanka: it has been five years since the dawn of peace in Sri Lanka which has many experiences and models on private sector participation in TVET activities, public private partnerships development, industry participation in training and training material development and promotion of self-employment for livelihood development. There are many lessons learnt that need to be shared for the benefit of others. This conference will be a platform through which these successful programs are highlighted. It is hoped that others from similar environments can learn and benefit from these programs. Throughout the conference participants will identify key issues and areas that warrant further attention, learn from each other’s experiences, identify areas for further collaboration especially with the private sector, agree on the quality standards that need to be maintained, highlight key learning from successful projects and contribute to the development of policy in the TVET sector. For further details on the conference visit www.tvetconference.com.