The workshop brought together principals, center leaders, and national project coordination unit leaders from Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, and Ethiopia. It was facilitated by Eng. Wisdom Simon Mtisi, an expert in green TVET and author of the “ILO Green Skills Tool Kit,” facilitated the workshop aimed to develop a regional framework for greening TVET. The framework is expected to guide TVET institutions to integrate green transition principles and best practices.
The workshop included discussions and presentation on reconfiguring the TVET system for a green economy, the role of innovation, balancing economic, social, and environmental capital, and key steps for greening TVET programs and campuses.
Speaking at the workshop, the Project Coordinator for EASTRIP at IUCEA, Dr. Cosam Joseph, underscored the importance of integrating green skills into TVET curriculum.
“Greening TVET is essential for promoting sustainable development. This workshop is a step toward building a skilled workforce ready to tackle the challenges and seize the opportunities of a green economy,” Dr. Cosam said.
Participants at the EASTRIP workshop on Greening TVET
Dr Teshome Lemma, the TVET Advisor at the Ministry of Labour and Skills in Ethiopia, said: “We face a number of pressing environmental challenges such as climate change. Therefore, our TVET institutions should lead the way in equipping the next generation with the skills required for a sustainable future.”
Participants acknowledged the urgent need to address environmental challenges like climate change, deforestation, and water scarcity through green skills development. They recognized TVET’s potential to foster a green economy by integrating green skills into curricula, preparing students for jobs in renewable energy, sustainable agriculture, waste management, and eco-friendly construction.
Key recommendations included developing and revising curricula with input from industry experts, training instructors on green technologies, fostering partnerships with the private sector, securing government policy support, and establishing metrics for monitoring and evaluating progress.
Country representatives shared their national strategies: Uganda is integrating environmental education and focusing on renewable energy; Ethiopia aims for a carbon-neutral economy by 2025; Kenya emphasizes green jobs within its Vision 2030; and Tanzania’s National Development Vision 2025 prioritizes sustainable development goals.
The workshop highlighted the importance of balancing economic, social, and environmental capital for sustainable development. Participants agreed that a balanced approach, embedding economic capital within social capital, and both within environmental capital, is crucial for long-term success.
The workshop concluded with a strong consensus that prioritizing greening TVET is essential for East African countries to achieve sustainable economic growth and build a resilient future.
By Godwin Bonge Muhwezi, Project Communication Specialist for EASTRIP at IUCEA
