TVET in the Asian Region: Issues, Concerns and Prospects

Abstract

The twenty-first century is one of emerging challenges and an era of knowledge, information and communication. Globalization and unprecedented advancements in information and communication technologies (ICTs) have already signalled the need for a new human-centred development paradigm. Education, particularly technical and vocational education and training (TVET), has a crucial role to play in this new era for all regions of the world, including Asia and the Pacific. In view of the immense potential of TVET to generate growth, it is emerging as a vital empowering tool for improving living conditions by enhancing the capacities of individuals to be employed, obtain decent work and increase their earnings. Orienting TVET to the needs of the world of work is, therefore, indispensable not only for economic and social development, but also for sustainable development. This calls for a paradigm shift in TVET, such as the one taking place in the Asian Region---as everywhere else in the world.