VET in a time of crisis - can foundations be built for resilient VET systems?
A new OECD policy brief discusses this issue and may be useful for those who plan and work on the response to and recovery from the current crisis (see link at the bottom).
It argues that while in the short-term the crisis presents serious challenges for VET teachers, trainers and learners alike, the lockdown may ultimately result in stronger and more resilient VET systems - if the right choices are made today.
The...
Dear Helmut thanks for very critical point for VET in such pandemic situation, which is goes parallel with the lots of ecological problems as well. For example here in Uzbekistan we have unusual spring for us. Usually it is time to seed the plants and agricultural issues. But too much rain and sometimes too strong windy process postpones the situation and makes to adopt new solutions for the situation like Green houses, which is request for new skills as much as possible, including new research fields.
Dear Feruza,
Much appreciated your feedback from Uzbekistan. And sorry to hear that you have such unusual spring with heavy impact on agriculture. As you said, on the positive side it can trigger also innovative solutions which require new skills, though often are not available immediately.
Indeed, due to the current Corona-crisis other big world problems, such as climate change and environmental degradation, but also existing hunger and poverty, tend to be forgotten. And the possible links between all these.
Climate change definitely requires new environmental friendly technologies and sustainable production and energy consumption.
VET systems and skills development policies therefore need to become more foreward looking and much stronger integrate dimensions of social- and environmental responsibility in technical skills and competence development.
VET has to play a significant role not only in developing human and social capital, but also in promoting necessary skills, knowledge and expertise needed for more sustainable societies and greener economies.
International efforts are needed on this as no country is isolated from each other.
May I share with you, in case you did not come across, a joint statement and leaflet on 'Greening Technical and Vocational Education and Training and Skills Development for the World of Work'. This leaflet was produced some time ago by the Interagency Group (a working group of a range of international organisations, including the ETF). See link below
https://www.cedefop.europa.eu/files/Greening_Technical_VET_and_skills_d…
As you probably know the 'Green Deal' was announced by the European Union as the major flagship initiative, before the COVID crisis arrived. It has very ambitious goals striving to make Europe the first climate-neutral continent in the world.
As part of this,, the European Commission is currently preparing a VET Recommendation and New Skills Agenda for the European Union which will be adopted soon. I will share with you and other colleagues from partner countries for sure !.
My best wishes
Helmut.
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