TVET plays a central role in NICHE
14 Mar 2011
One of the special policy requirements of the NICHE programme is to support capacity development activities that address the needs of the local and regional labour market. Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) at post-secondary level is a well-suited means to achieve this goal. Hence, NICHE specifically targets TVET.
We have set up a 'TVET Taskforce' to spearhead NICHE activities aimed at creating more effective TVET. The Taskforce has published a TVET Strategy paper which sets out the objectives, guiding principles and scope of TVET within the NICHE programme. The strategy paper has been approval by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Download the strategy paper (160 kB)
We have identified that there is a general need among project partners and Nuffic to gain more in-depth knowledge and understanding of TVET in order to design and implement better projects. This requires activities aimed at capacitating all involved stakeholders.
Towards a common understanding
First, Nuffic organized two internal meetings aimed at improving our own understanding of TVET. These learning sessions enabled us to identify the main challenges:
- reaching a common understanding of TVET concepts;
- the need to increase knowledge sharing;
- the need for more in-depth exchanges of experiences on how to embed labour market in NICHE projects.
TVET in Rwanda
In addition, early January 2011 we consulted external stakeholders during a seminar about the implementation of TVET in Rwanda, with specific attention to NICHE's contribution to this process. The seminar was attended by experts from Rwanda and the Netherlands.
They exchanged their views on issues such as National Qualification Frameworks, private sector involvement and quality assurance in the ongoing efforts to develop and improve effectiveness and efficiency of TVET in Rwanda.
73 TVET projects
The focus on TVET within NICHE is reflected by the large number of TVET projects. More than a third of the overall programme budget has been earmarked for TVET projects.
In total, 73 TVET projects have been identified, spread over all NICHE countries for which a Programme Outline has been signed. These projects cover a range of sectors and target various TVET-related organizations.
TVET seminar
The upcoming seminar on TVET in NICHE for Dutch organizations on 24 March 2011 in Utrecht should be seen as part and parcel of the efforts being deployed in NICHE to contribute to improved TVET. You can register until 17 March.
