DATE: March 23-27, 2026 |
Venue: Courtyard by Marriott Colombo, Sri Lanka |
Type: Regional Program |
ORGANIZERS: Colombo Plan Staff College (CPSC), Philippines and Ministry of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education (MOE, HE & VE), Sri Lanka |
BACKGROUND
The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development underscores the central role of education and skills development in achieving inclusive, sustainable, and resilient societies. Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) is recognized as a critical enabler of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 4 (Quality Education), SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure), SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities), and SDG 13 (Climate Action). By equipping individuals with relevant competencies, TVET systems contribute to employability, productivity, innovation, social inclusion, and sustainable economic transformation.
Across the Asia–Pacific region, countries are undergoing rapid socio-economic transitions driven by digitalization, globalization, demographic shifts, and the accelerating impacts of climate change. These transformations have significantly altered labour market dynamics and skills requirements, necessitating comprehensive reforms in TVET systems to ensure their relevance, responsiveness, and resilience. In this context, transforming TVET for a digital, green, and inclusive economy has become a strategic priority for governments seeking to support sustainable development pathways and future-ready workforces.
Digital transformation is reshaping industries and occupations, requiring new competencies in digital literacy, advanced technologies, and innovative modes of learning and delivery. At the same time, the global transition towards greener economies demands skills aligned with environmental sustainability, renewable energy, resource efficiency, and climate-resilient practices. Ensuring inclusivity within TVET systems—particularly for women, youth, persons with disabilities, and other marginalized groups—is equally essential to realizing the principle of leaving no one behind and to maximizing the social and economic returns of skills development investments. Despite its strategic importance, TVET in many countries continues to face challenges, including fragmented governance, limited industry engagement, inadequate financing, skills mismatches, and persistent perceptions of TVET as a secondary education pathway. Strengthening leadership, governance, and institutional management within TVET systems are therefore critical to improving quality, relevance, and public confidence while ensuring alignment with national development priorities and global commitments.
Sri Lanka, in line with regional and global trends, is undertaking significant education and skills development reforms to respond to current economic challenges and emerging workforce needs. National policy frameworks, including education reforms and sectoral skills development strategies, emphasize the modernization of TVET, the integration of digital technologies, the promotion of green skills, and the expansion of equitable access to quality training. These efforts position Sri Lanka as a suitable regional platform for knowledge exchange and cooperation among Asia–Pacific countries. Within this context, the Colombo Plan Staff College (CPSC), in collaboration with the Ministry of Education of Sri Lanka, is organizing a Regional Programme on “Achieving the UN SDGs through TVET,” with a thematic focus on “Transforming TVET for a Digital, Green, and Inclusive Economy.” The program aims to bring together senior policymakers, TVET leaders, managers, and practitioners from across the Asia–Pacific region to strengthen institutional capacities, share good practices, and foster regional cooperation in TVET development.
The Regional Programme will provide a platform for dialogue, knowledge exchange, and capacity development on policy alignment, leadership and governance, industry partnerships, digital and green skills integration, inclusivity strategies, and quality assurance mechanisms in TVET. By enhancing leadership and institutional effectiveness, the program seeks to support participating countries in leveraging TVET as a strategic instrument for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals and advancing sustainable, inclusive, and future-oriented economic development across the region.
OBJECTIVES
By the end of the regional program, participants will be able to:
- Analyze TVET's strategic role in advancing UN Sustainable Development Goals, including emerging trends, challenges, and opportunities in digital, green, and inclusive economies.
- Design inclusive TVET programs and qualifications frameworks that integrate digital technologies, green skills, and equitable practices for marginalized groups.
- Develop practical strategies and governance mechanisms for industry engagement, work-based learning, and results-based monitoring/evaluation in TVET institutions.
- Apply leadership capacities to create national/regional action plans for SDG-aligned TVET transformation.
- Assess institutional readiness w.r.t. IR-5.0 focussing on governance, leadership, quality assistance, and digital maturity in line with APACC Accreditation Framework 2025
- Facilitate regional cooperation through knowledge exchange of good practices and country experiences.
EXPECTED OUTPUTS
The expected outputs of the program are:
- Enhanced knowledge among participants on the role of TVET in achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
- Increased capacity of TVET leaders and managers in strategic planning and governance for digital, green, and inclusive transformation.
- Practical frameworks and tools developed for integrating digital technologies and green skills into TVET systems.
- Strengthened understanding of inclusive TVET policies and practices targeting marginalized and vulnerable groups.
- Institutional TVET readiness self-Assessment tool aligned with IR 5.0 and APACC 2025
- Improved approaches for industry engagement and work-based learning in TVET institutions.
- Regional knowledge exchange facilitated through the sharing of good practices and country experiences.
EXPECTED OUTCOMES
The expected outcomes of the program are:
- Improved leadership and institutional effectiveness in TVET systems across participating Asia–Pacific countries.
- Greater alignment of TVET policies and programs with national development priorities and the UN SDGs.
- Enhanced relevance and quality of TVET programs to meet evolving labour market and industry needs.
- Improved institutional preparedness for APACC accreditation under the 2025 framework
- Increased integration of digital and green skills within TVET curricula and delivery systems.
- Strengthened inclusivity and equitable access to TVET for women, youth, and persons with disabilities.
- Sustained regional collaboration and cooperation in transforming TVET for a digital, green, and inclusive economy.
PROGRAM CONTENTS
To achieve the objectives set forth, the following strategies will be employed in a consultative manner:
Theme Papers and Presentations on the following:
- Theme Paper 1: The Evolution of IR-4.0 to IR-5.0 in the Asia–Pacific Region: Its Implications for TVET and the SDGs
- Theme Paper 2: Building Digital Ecosystems for TVET: Policy, Infrastructure, and Institutional Readiness
- Theme Paper 3: Inclusive TVET as a Driver of Equity and Social Cohesion (Leaving No One Behind)
- Theme Paper 4: APACC 2025 Framework as an Institutional Strategy and Policy for Inclusive TVET Systems
- Theme Paper 5: National Qualifications Frameworks (NQFs) as Enablers of Quality and Mobility
- Theme Paper 6: Regional Qualifications Frameworks and Skills Recognition in Asia–Pacific
- Theme Paper 7: Policy Innovation and Governance Models for Transforming TVET
- Theme Paper 8: Regional Cooperation and Cross-Border Skills Development for Sustainable Growth
Exercises and workshops on the following:
- Workshop 1: Designing Digital TVET Pathways for Future Skills Development
- Workshop 2: Designing Inclusive TVET Institutes and its Programmes for Digital and Green Economies
- Workshop 3: Developing National and Regional Action Plans for SDG-Aligned TVET Transformation
NSTRUCTIONAL STRATEGIES
This program involves different learning methods, such as:
- Special lectures and presentations
- Group Work Activities
- Study Tour
- Microtraining Exchange (Pecha Kucha Style)
- Reflective Analysis (MILY)
- International Conference
- Panel discussion
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 March 23–27, 2026, at the Courtyard by Marriott Colombo, Sri Lanka.
FACILITIES REQUIREMENTS
To conduct the program smoothly, the following facilities are required:
- Laptop computers (preferably participants 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
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Program Schedule
