DATE: December 11 - 15, 2023 |
VENUE: University of Vocational Technology Rathmalana, Sri Lanka
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ORGANIZERS: Colombo Plan Staff College (CPSC) andMinistry of Education Sri Lanka |
Background
The leadership and management of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutes are pivotal in determining education quality and shaping the future workforce. TVET institutions are crucial for equipping individuals with practical skills and knowledge aligned with job market and industry demands. Effective TVET leadership necessitates visionary strategies that foster innovation and adapt to evolving industry needs. Collaborating with industry stakeholders, educators, and policymakers is essential to establishing shared visions and strategic plans aligned with societal and economic goals.
Globalization and technological advancements significantly impacted organizational management, particularly in TVET. To address this, Sri Lanka is embarking on TVET education reform while highlighting TVET's important role in the current economic situation. TVET institutions must focus on branding and image-building to revolutionize youth socio-economic status. Effective branding involves promoting strengths and unique features, making institutions stand out in the market. However, the perception of TVET varies across regions and economies. It's often viewed as "second-class," deterring enrollment. Asian countries, in particular, lean towards general and professional education, neglecting vocational streams.
Therefore, at this point, the TVET system should further realign itself to the present and upcoming trends, issues, and challenges that will ensure the capacity building of a competent and qualified workforce. This would require extensive efforts on identifying present trends, learning from past experiences, and charting future directions as guided by the findings from the past and present, especially in these five areas.
First, by motivating and empowering TVET leaders by investing in continuous professional development and training. Enhance teaching skills, resulting in improved quality of education, better student engagement, and higher employability rates for graduates, including individuals with disabilities, promoting equitable access to education. Second, financial management is another critical aspect of leadership and management in TVET institutes. Efficient allocation and utilization of resources are essential to investing in modern infrastructure, state-of-the-art equipment, and advanced technologies that facilitate effective teaching and learning experiences. Third, collaboration with industry stakeholders is essential for the relevance and success of TVET institutes. By engaging industries, TVET leaders can align their curriculum with real-world demands, ensuring graduates possess the necessary skills and knowledge sought by the job market. Internships, apprenticeships, and industry partnerships provide students with practical exposure and valuable work experience, further enhancing their employability. Fourth, in the modern era, TVET institutes must embrace digital transformation. Integrating technology into the teaching and learning process is essential for students in the digital age. Online learning platforms, virtual simulations, and e-learning tools enhance the accessibility and flexibility of education, catering to diverse learning styles and needs. Fifth and most important is continuous evaluation and improvement, which are fundamental aspects of leadership and management in TVET institutes. Regularly assessing institutional performance, monitoring student outcomes, and utilizing data-driven insights help identify areas for improvement and innovation. By implementing evidence-based strategies, TVET institutes can consistently enhance their effectiveness, ensuring they remain at the forefront of delivering relevant and high-quality education.
Sri Lanka, with a population of 22.16 million, seeks to reform education through strategies like the National Education Reforms, the decade of skills development 2021-2030, and the TVET sector skills development strategy 2021-2030. Effective TVET leadership is fundamental to these efforts. Visionary leaders, empowered faculty, efficient financial management, industry collaboration, inclusivity, digital integration, and continuous improvement shape a skilled workforce. TVET institutions drive economic growth, innovation, and societal development, making them pivotal regionally and globally.
Thus, CPSC, in collaboration with the University of Vocational Technology Rathmalana, Sri Lanka, is organizing this in-country program to impart necessary concepts, integration processes, and guidelines to incorporate the very essential components in the design to share knowledge and TVET institutions’ good practices of leadership and management of TVET Institute.
Objectives
The participants are expected to:
- Recognize the vital role of leadership and management at the TVET Institute in the socioeconomic development of the country by developing a visionary leadership approach that sets clear goals and a strategic direction for the TVET Institute;
- Learn about effective leadership and management to make an impact in society regarding technical and vocational education and training;
- Understand leadership and management as effective tools for TVET development;
- Develop a project in group for creating an effective leadership and management strategy for TVET;
- Promote inclusivity and diversity within the TVET institute to accommodate learners from various backgrounds, including individuals with disabilities;
- Embrace digital transformation and integrate technology into the teaching and learning process to enhance accessibility and engagement;
- Establish a robust monitoring and evaluation system to assess institutional performance and identify areas for improvement;
- Implement data-driven decision-making processes to enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of the TVET institute, and
- Cultivate a culture of continuous improvement to adapt to changing industry needs and evolving educational trends.
Expected Output and Outcomes
The participants are expected to gain more knowledge and experience on fundamental knowledge, concepts, and skills for the development of leadership and management competencies. They are also expected to understand the mechanisms and strategies of leadership and management. A summary of the expected outcomes is listed below:
- TVET institutes leadership and administration improvement by understanding global mechanisms and strategies for TVET development.
- Develop strategies to promote TVET.
- Develop a project plan in groups for leadership and management with effective tools.
- To create attractiveness, the TVET sector improved and more students' enrollment and lifestyles prospered after the training.
Program Contents
To achieve the objectives set forth, the following strategies will be employed in a consultative manner:
Special Lecture and Presentations on the following:
- Special Lecture: Development, Issues, and Challenges for Global Leadership and Management in TVET
- Theme Paper 1: 21st Century Skills and IR 4.0 for Global Competitiveness and Innovation in the TVET
- Theme Paper 2: Management Concepts and Paradigms of Improving Institutional Management in the TVET Systems Strategic Plan
- Theme Paper 3: Change Management: Enhancing Leadership and Achieving Organizational Excellence in TVET
- Theme Paper 4: Enhancing TVET Leadership and Management through Accreditation and ICT
- Theme Paper 5: Excellence of Leadership for Change Management Through the PDCA Cycle in TVET
Exercises and workshops on the following:
- Workshop 1: TVET Institute Management Issues and Their Technical Analysis in Sri Lanka
- Workshop 2: Institutional Visit: TVET Institutional Best Practices with Brand Concept Management
- Workshop 3: Identify and analyze technological gaps through critical analysis
Conference on Emerging Technologies and Skills for Resilient Industries
Presentations on the following:
- Resilient industries for a sustainable future
- Innovative approaches for resilient technological solutions
- ICT towards Resilience: Harnessing Information and Communication Technologies for Sustainable Development
- Education and language studies: transformative and innovative pedagogies and language learning for resilient learning
- TVET Skills and Competencies for Resilient Workforce Development
Participants' Profile
The participants of this in-country program will be composed of college directors, deputy college directors, assistant college directors, administrators, teachers, instructors, lecturers, and educational persons related to the TVET Authority.
Date and Venue
The five-day program will be held from December 11–15, 2023, at the University of Vocational Technology, No. 100 Kandawala Road, Rathmalana, Sri Lanka.
Facilities Requirements
To conduct the program smoothly, the following facilities are required:
- Laptop computers (preferably participants to bring their own laptop)
- Internet Connection (LAN/WAN)
- Audio and Video Equipment
- Multimedia Projector and Projection Screen
- Flipcharts and large papers (for brainstorming activities)
- Pens/Markers
Program Management and Resource Persons
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Program Schedule
