In its continuous commitment to knowledge-sharing, the Colombo Plan Staff College (CPSC) successfully conducted its international webinar on “Aligning Sustainable Development Goals Towards TVET System,” held on August 19, 2025, via Zoom platform. The webinar gathered 85 TVET professionals, educators, and practitioners from across the Asia-Pacific region, who gained insights on embedding sustainability, inclusivity, and innovation in Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET).
The webinar highlighted TVET’s role in achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through practical strategies, best practices, and policy innovations. It also explored how TVET contributes to poverty reduction, quality education, decent work, gender equality, reduced inequalities, industry innovation, and climate action, while highlighting ways institutions can embed SDG values into building a more sustainable and inclusive future.
The webinar featured two sessions delivered by Dr. Balasubramanian Esakki, Dean of the Centre for International Affairs at the National Institute of Technical Teachers Training and Research (NITTTR), Chennai, India, and Dr. Juan Robertino Macalde, Manager of the Learning Development and Management Office (LDMO) at SEAMEO INNOTECH, Philippines.
Dr. Balasubramanian Esakki delivers his lecture on “Building Green and Digital Skills for the Future Workforce”
In Dr. Esakki’s session, he highlighted the need to cultivate green and digital skills for the future workforce. Dr. Esakki mentioned that without adequately trained workers, global industries face slowed productivity and challenges in adopting Industry 4.0 practices.
He also outlined India’s initiatives, including the Skill India Mission, Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY), and the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC), which aim to address these gaps through large-scale training and industry collaboration. Looking ahead, he emphasized opportunities in digital transformation using AI and VR, integration of sustainability-focused competencies, and the expansion of micro-credentials to meet fast-changing labor market needs.
Dr. Juan Robertino Macalde talks about inclusive skills development in the context of TVET during his session
Meanwhile, Dr. Macalde’s session focused on SDG’s role in empowering inclusive skills development. “TVET is not just training but an enabler of equitable development,” he said during his presentation.
He emphasized the importance of creating inclusive strategies such as flexible learning pathways, gender-responsive pedagogy, and targeted programs for marginalized groups, including women, youth not in education, employment, or training (NEET), persons with disabilities (PWDs), and remote communities. Dr. Macalde noted that these approaches are instrumental in empowering disadvantaged sectors and ensuring that no one is left behind in the transition to a sustainable and digital future.
Furthermore, Dr. Macalde presented regional perspectives through SEAMEO’s initiatives like the SEA-TVET Consortium, cross-country internship placements, and industry partnerships that prepare learners for the green and digital economies.
RPID Officer Ms. Arlene Raymundo Monge moderates the Q&A sessions with Dr. Esakki (top photo, left) and Dr. Macalde (bottom photo, left)
Both sessions were followed by question-and-answer forums, in which Ms. Arlene Raymundo Monge, Research, Publications, and Information Division Officer at CPSC, moderated the two sessions. Afterwards, certificates of recognition were awarded to Dr. Esakki and Dr. Macalde in appreciation of their valuable contributions.
The webinar concluded successfully, marking another significant step in CPSC’s ongoing mission towards a sustainable, inclusive, and future-ready TVET across the Asia-Pacific region.
