The German Government is supporting the efforts of governments in South-East ASIA to improve technical vocational education and training (TVET) at the national level. Cooperation countries include Viet Nam, Laos, Indonesia and Myanmar. The long-standing partnerships are based on a mutual understanding that TVET produces qualified workers with skills needed by businesses and helps to integrate young people into the labour market. Partners benefit from the expertise gained and lessons learned in Germany, where TVET has long been an essential component of a successful social market economy.

South-East ASIA has experienced dynamic economic growth in recent years, and national TVET systems are failing to meet the current demand for qualified workers in relevant industry and service sectors in the region. Moreover, not all of the necessary foundations are in place that will enable countries to adapt to the structural changes brought about by internal market integration.

The department of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Secretariat responsible for socio-cultural development and the Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organization (SEAMEO) are two regional structures that are working with the programme to drive improvements in the quality and comparability of national TVET systems. National, regional and international business representatives are involved in designing regional TVET strategies and will ensure that TVET is more relevant to labour markets.

Objective

The foundations are in place for harmonised and labour market-oriented TVET in ASEAN member states in terms of technical, human and institutional resources.

Approach

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

1. Supporting regional organisations in ASEAN. Dialogue processes held twice a year will boost regional expertise. Among other things, policymakers from national and regional government institutions and the private sector will meet to jointly devise a harmonised agenda for improving the quality of TVET systems in the region.

2. Cooperating with the private sector. The focus is on training in-house trainers and strengthening business associations’ skills so that they can express and represent their interests during the design of TVET.

3. Improving education and training for TVET personnel. Measures will focus on enhancing the skills of teaching and management staff by providing technical and methodological support and advice to TVET institutions during the development of regional TVET services and the quality-controlled delivery of these services.

The previous Regional Cooperation Programme to Improve the Training of TVET Personnel (RECOTVET I) has already created the essential foundations for systematically improving regional TVET strategies.

DSD & RECOTVET COLLABORATION

DSD supports RECOTVET's agenda related to skills development.