DATE: October 13-17, 2025 |
Venue: Sri Lanka Foundation Institute, Colombo, Sri Lanka |
Type: In-Country Program |
ORGANIZERS: Colombo Plan Staff College (CPSC), Philippines, in collaboration with the Ministry of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education, Sri Lanka |
Background
A. Introduction to the concepts of digitization of TVET Institutions for Industrial Growth and Future-Ready Workforce in Sri Lanka
Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) has become an imperative driving force to shape workforce development and national competitiveness. In the era of Industry Revolution (IR) 4.0 and the ongoing transition to IR 5.0, digitization is no longer optional; it is a prerequisite to the transformation and revamping of TVET systems. By embedding digital technologies, data-driven decision-making, and smart institutional management systems, TVET institutions can better respond to labor market needs, industrialization priorities, and sustainable development imperatives.
For Sri Lanka, which is committed to accelerating industrialization and economic growth, the digitization of TVET institutions offers a strategic pathway to enhance workforce quality, integrate modern technologies into training, and foster innovation. Digitization will allow Sri Lanka’s TVET sector to:
- Build responsive, industry-driven curricula aligned with global trends.
- Harness data analytics and decision-support systems to ensure efficiency, transparency, and accountability.
- Foster outcome-based training that measures real competencies, ensuring graduates are work-ready and industry-compliant.
- Strengthen industry-academia partnerships to fuel entrepreneurship, productivity, and inclusive growth.
B. Global Success Stories in Digitized TVET
Around the world, several exemplary models illustrate how digitization is revolutionizing TVET:
- Singapore’s Institute of Technical Education (ITE) has embraced a fully digitized ecosystem, using Artificial Intelligence (AI) powered learning analytics, outcome-based curricula, and digital campus systems to align with future industries.
- Germany’s Dual VET System integrates digital apprenticeships, ERP solutions, and data-driven monitoring to ensure effective alignment between industries and training institutions.
- TVET colleges in South Korea have successfully deployed AR/VR, IoT, and AI simulations in smart classrooms, improving skills acquisition in advanced manufacturing and health care sectors.
- Finland’s VET institutions use big data and AI-assisted career pathways, ensuring learners’ training is personalized and linked directly with national employment strategies.
These global models demonstrate that digitization is not only about adopting technology but also about embedding a culture of innovation, accountability, and continuous improvement in TVET.
C. Relevance to Sri Lanka’s National Priorities
Sri Lanka’s strategic push for industrial modernization and economic resilience requires a digitally empowered TVET system that:
- Supports sustainable and green industrialization in line with SDGs.
- Enhances youth employability and entrepreneurship through exposure to digital skills.
- Creates pathways for inclusive participation of marginalized groups by leveraging online and blended learning.
- Facilitates international recognition and mobility of Sri Lanka’s workforce through compliance with global TVET benchmarks.
D. The Role of CPSC through this ICP
The Colombo Plan Staff College (CPSC), as a regional center of excellence and intergovernmental organization serving 16 active and 12 chartered Asia-Pacific countries, is uniquely positioned to support Sri Lanka’s TVET digitization journey. Through this In-Country Training Program, CPSC will:
- Share global and regional best practices in digital transformation of TVET institutions.
- Build the capacity of Sri Lanka’s TVET leaders and experts to adopt data-driven governance, AI-enabled teaching, digital learning platforms, and Industry 5.0 practices.
- Provide knowledge on international accreditation systems, such as the APACC Accreditation Framework 2025, which embeds digitization, sustainability, green practices, and IR 5.0 compliance.
- Facilitate networking with other member countries that have successfully digitized their TVET sectors.
This program will enable Sri Lanka’s TVET institutions to up-track their services through digitization, positioning them as future-ready hubs for industrial growth and innovation, and aligning the country’s workforce development strategy with both national aspirations and global demands.
This collaborative CPSC In-Country training initiative is designed to empower TVET leaders, administrators, and practitioners of Sri Lanka with the necessary knowledge, strategies, and tools to embrace and adopt digital transformation in their TVET institutions, in line with global and regional best practices.
As Sri Lanka strives towards strengthening its digital economy, the role of TVET digitization in preparing a digitally skilled workforce becomes more critical than ever. Through this program, CPSC aims to provide a platform for capacity building, exchange of best practices, and collaborative planning to ensure TVET institutions, based on TVET digitization, remain future-ready and responsive to Industry 4.0–5.0 transitions.
E. Program Rationale
Digital transformation has become a defining factor for the competitiveness and relevance of TVET institutions worldwide. With the emergence of Industry 4.0–5.0 IR, AI, AR/VR, and other disruptive technologies, the demand for digitally competent graduates and resilient training institutions is rapidly increasing.
In the Asia-Pacific context, particularly in Sri Lanka, TVET institutions face challenges of digital infrastructure, good connectivity, and digital skills gaps among faculty and learners. At the same time, there are growing opportunities to leverage technology for inclusive, innovative, and sustainable skills training.
This program aims to:
- Strengthen institutional digital readiness in Sri Lanka’s TVET sector.
- Develop strategies to integrate advanced digital technologies into teaching, learning, and assessment.
- Promote regional cooperation and knowledge sharing on digital TVET practices.
- Support the alignment of national TVET strategies with APACC and CPSC regional directions.
Program Objectives
- To analyze global and regional trends in the digital transformation of TVET institutions.
- To assess the current state of digital readiness of Sri Lankan TVET institutions.
- To enhance the capacity of TVET leaders, administrators, and faculty in implementing digital pedagogies and management practices.
- To develop institutional action plans for digital transformation in alignment with Sri Lanka’s national strategies and regional directions.
- To foster dialogue and partnerships among policymakers, industry, and TVET stakeholders for future-ready digital transformation.
Program Outputs (Tangible Deliverables)
The program outputs anticipated at this stage in the shape of recommendations are:
- Digital TVET Baseline & Gap Map for Sri Lanka (infrastructure, skills, pedagogy, QA, priority sectors). Institutional Digital Transformation Roadmaps with SMART goals, KPIs, budgets, and sustainability plans.
- Policy Recommendations for TVEC/MoE on standards, funding, micro-credentials, LMS adoption, and green digital skills.
- APACC-Aligned Digital QA Toolkit (checklists, rubrics, e-portfolios, tracer study templates, data standards).
- Learning Management System (LMS) adoption starter package, including an onboarding guide, templates, and a pilot plan, for selected institutions.
- Industry Linkages through draft MoUs with tech firms for labs, mentorships, and co-designed curricula.
- Certified Trainer Cohort with micro-badges in digital pedagogy and content creation.
- Knowledge Repository (theme papers, slide decks, recordings, roadmaps, toolkits) accessible to all TVET providers in Sri Lanka.
- Enhanced knowledge of digital transformation frameworks and strategies in TVET.
- Strengthened capacity of TVET administrators, leaders, and faculty in digital pedagogy and planning.
- Developed institutional action plans for digital transformation in Sri Lanka’s TVET institutions.
- Strengthened industry linkages and partnerships for supporting digital skills training.
- Increased awareness of APACC standards and regional cooperation in digital quality assurance.
Expected Outcomes (Sri Lanka TVET & Education Sectors)
The anticipated outcomes of the program at this stage are:
- Sri Lankan TVET institutions will adopt and implement digital transformation roadmaps with dedicated digitally equipped human resources.
- Trainers and faculty across provinces will be upskilled in digital pedagogy and cascade training to a wider pool of practitioners in Sri Lanka.
- Blended and hybrid learning will be expanded through LMS pilots, localized Open Educational Resources (OERs), and standardized digital course packages.
- Digital and green skills will be integrated into TVET curricula across priority sectors, enhancing workforce employability.
- Stronger industry–TVET partnerships are anticipated to be established for apprenticeships, simulators, mentorships, and co-designed curricula.
- TVEC's strategic move towards modernization of its QA practices with APACC-aligned digital tools, data dashboards, and digital delivery audits.
- Policy adoption on micro-credentials, funding mechanisms, and digital delivery guidelines will facilitate and support scalability.
- Employment, SME productivity, and inclusivity for women and rural learners in the TVET sector of Sri Lanka are anticipated to be improved multifold.
Program Contents
Presentations/Theme papers:
Special Lectures
Digitization with Self-Employment through Technopreneurship
Theme Papers (TP)
- TP 1. Regional Insights: Asia-Pacific Experiences in Driving Digital TVET
- TP 2. Status of Digitalization in Sri Lanka’s TVET Sector: Opportunities and Challenges in the Global Landscape
- TP 3. Technology-Enhanced Pedagogy: Blended and Hybrid Learning Models in TVET
- TP 4. Integrating Artificial Intelligence, AR/VR, and Simulation Tools in Skills Training
- TP 5. Technology-Enhanced Pedagogy: Blended and Hybrid Learning Models in TVET
- TP 6. Green Digital Skills for Sustainable Industrial Development in Sri Lanka
- TP 7. Digital Transformation and Quality Assurance in TVET: APACC and Regional Perspectives
Workshops (W)
- W 1. Experience Sharing by Participants on Digital Readiness of Sri Lankan TVET Institutions – Infrastructure, Connectivity, and Access
- W 2. Developing Institutional Digital Transformation Roadmaps
- W 3. Making APACC and Sri Lanka TVET Quality assurance regime digitized - Ways and means, policy recommendations
National Conference / Dialogue
Theme: Digital Transformation for Future-Ready TVET in Sri Lanka and Asia-Pacific
Format: Keynote, Panel Discussions (policy, industry, academia), Case Presentations, and Plenary Dialogue.
Approach and Methodology
Instructional Strategies
The program involves different learning methods such as:
- Theme paper presentations
- Group Work Activities
- Group Presentations
- Web-Based Teaching and Learning System through OnCOURSE
- National Conference on the subject matter
- Action Planning
Participants' Profile
The participants are expected to be composed of a group of 30 to 40 TVET institution principals, heads of departments, senior lecturers, and IT coordinators.
Date and Venue
The program will run from October 13–17, 2025, in Colombo, Sri Lanka.
Program Facilities
To conduct the program smoothly, the following facilities are required:
- Laptop computers (participants are encouraged to bring their laptops)
- Internet Connection (LAN/WAN)
- Audio and Video Equipment
- Multimedia Projector and Projection Screen
Program Management and Resource Persons
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Program Schedule
