Vocational education and training - VET

This open access publication presents a global panorama of institutional strategies, academic programs, scholarly insights as well as teaching and learning practices taking stock of the Future Skills Turn taking place in higher education. Future Skills have evolved to be one of the most important priorities for the development of higher education institutions globally. Students and graduates learn how to acquire Future Skills for their lives and careers and for shaping societies towards more sustainable futures. Institutions, teachers and policy makers gain insights into strategies to shape the Future Skills Turn in higher education and create the University of the Future.

There is a growing trend among employers to hire individuals based on their skills and alternative credentials, which has led to an increased interest in obtaining micro-credentials by potential employees. The interest in micro-credentials is rapidly growing, and universities are taking notice by offering them independently or in collaboration with other providers. Some universities have released guidelines on how micro-credentials will be recognised and integrated into degree programmes. Some are even combining them to lead to a degree.

Technical and vocational education and training (TVET) is well placed to advance this transformation. UNESCO-UNEVOC’s medium-term strategy for the 2024 to 2026 period puts forward an agenda to support countries in equipping youth and adults with the skills for employment, decent work, and entrepreneurship, while providing flexible pathways to lifelong learning opportunities for all. The strategy considers the accelerated digital revolution, the emerging demands of the green economy and the increasing needs for reskilling and upskilling of the workforce.Innovation and excellence, equity and inclusion, and the dual green and digital transformation are the key drivers of UNESCO-UNEVOC’s medium-term strategy. It is set to directly contribute to the UNESCO Strategy for TVET for 2022 to 2029 and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. It serves as a launch pad to elevate the quality, image of, and accessibility to TVET, and to support TVET institutions’ just and sustainable transformation. At the centre of these activities is the UNEVOC Network, UNESCO’s global network of more than 230 TVET institutions spanning 150 countries..This medium-term strategy includes a series of flagships, such as the UNEVOC TVET Leadership Programme, the Bridging Innovation and Learning in TVET (BILT) project, partnership with the Global Skills Academy, and UNEVOC Connect, a global clearing house for up-to-date resources on TVET. It comprises actions aimed at training of TVET leaders and teachers, cooperation with the UNEVOC Network and other networks of UNESCO, engagement with the private sector, and dissemination of TVET data and research

Abstract

Purpose

The present study investigates the impact of digital entrepreneurial education and training and its impact on the digital entrepreneurial intention (EI) through the mediating character of entrepreneurial competence.

Design/methodology/approach

A total of 391 survey responses were collected from employees using convenient and snowball sampling methods.

Findings

Digital entrepreneurial education and training showed a positive influence on entrepreneurial competence and EI, with entrepreneurial competence mediating the relationship between digital entrepreneurial education and training practices and EI.

Research limitations/implications

This study is intended to assist the development of digital entrepreneurs. The implications of this study are also useful for governments, entrepreneurs, venture capitalists, angel investors and various international development institutions.

Originality/value

The novelty of this study relates to exploring the relationship between digital entrepreneurial education and training, entrepreneurial competence and digital EI.

This leaflet provides an overview of the BEAR III project’s activities from 2023 to 2027 in four West African beneficiary countries: Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Nigeria, and Sierra Leone, emphasizing its expected impacts. The document outlines targeted sectors in each country, focusing on enhancing the quality and relevance of TVET programmes to better appeal to youth, businesses, and society. At the core of the project is the adoption of a sector skills development approach, with efforts concentrated on key economic sectors identified in collaboration with national governments and TVET stakeholders to align with strategic agendas.