DATE: November 17-21, 2025 |
Venue: National Institute of Technical Teachers Training and Research (NITTTR), Chandigarh, India |
Type: Regional Program |
ORGANIZERS: Colombo Plan Staff College (CPSC), Philippines and National Institute of Technical Teachers Training and Research (NITTTR) – Chandigarh, India |
Background
Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) has emerged as a cornerstone for driving socio-economic development across the Asia-Pacific region. Rapid transformations brought about by globalization, technological advancement, and Industry 4.0, and the shift to Industry 5.0 are reshaping labor market demands, increasing pressure on TVET systems to develop not only to produce a skilled workforce but also to foster learners with entrepreneurial mindsets.
The Asia-Pacific region accounts for the world’s largest youth population, which presents both an opportunity and a challenge to the policy makers and educators alike. On one hand, it has the potential to become the demographic dividend that can fuel the nation’s economic growth. However, if this young population is not adequately equipped with relevant skills and entrepreneurial competencies, it may lead to rising unemployment and social instability, leading to demographic disaster. Common issues such as skill mismatches, limited exposure to entrepreneurship, and inadequate institutional capacity continue to hinder the full potential of TVET as a driver of socio-economic transformation.
To address these challenges, TVET educational systems must integrate entrepreneurship, innovation, and future-ready skills that are aligned with the evolving industry needs, thereby creating a more resilient and self-reliant workforce. In light of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the TVET educational system shall put more emphasis on providing the requisite training to the participants in the domain of entrepreneurship and skill development. This integrated approach aligns with global and regional development agendas, including the SDGs particularly SDG 1: No Poverty, SDG 4: Quality Education, and SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth. By empowering TVET systems to cultivate entrepreneurial skills and institutional capacities, the region can nurture a resilient, self-reliant workforce capable of driving inclusive and sustainable economic development.
The regional program on “Strengthening Skills and Entrepreneurial Landscape of TVET Systems in Asia-Pacific Region” scheduled from November 17-21, 2025, at National Institute of Technical Teachers Training and Research, Chandigarh, India, represents a significant initiative aimed at addressing the pressing need for strengthening skills and entrepreneurial domain in the technical and vocational education institutions across CPSC member countries. This international training program is conceived as a strategic intervention to address the gaps mentioned above by fostering a shared understanding of how TVET systems can be strengthened to meet the demands of the 21st-century workforce. It recognizes that beyond technical proficiency, today’s learners must be equipped with entrepreneurial competencies, digital fluency, and adaptive mind-sets to thrive in dynamic and often unpredictable social and economic environments. This training program also aspires to be a platform for equipping TVET policymakers, faculty members, and practitioners with the necessary strategies, tools, and insights to transform TVET into a driver of innovation, entrepreneurship, and socio-economic progress across the Asia-Pacific region. By focusing on curriculum innovation, policy reform, ecosystem development, and inclusive outreach, this initiative seeks to reposition TVET not just as a pathway to employment but as a platform for innovation, self-reliance, and regional resilience.
The program thus aims to serve as a timely and transformative effort to empower institutions and individuals alike, ensuring that the TVET systems of the Asia-Pacific region are equipped to shape a more equitable and entrepreneurial future. Moreover, the program aims to catalyze regional collaboration by bringing together policymakers, educators, and academic leaders from the CPSC member countries in order to exchange best practices, co-develop strategies, and build networks for sustained impact. This theme of the training programme is in synergy with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG ‘1’ which focuses on Poverty Alleviation, SDG ‘4’ pertaining to quality education, as well as to some extent with SDG ‘8’ which is related to decent work and economic growth.
Objectives
At the end of the course, the program is expected to:
- Equip TVET faculty members and policy makers in enhancing their understanding of emerging trends in skills and entrepreneurship within the Asia-Pacific region and the in global context;
- Orient the TVET faculty members and policy makers in integrating entrepreneurship education and skill development into their respective national TVET systems;
- Sensitize the TVET faculty members and policy makers regarding the importance of ensuring equitable access to skills and entrepreneurial opportunities for women, rural youth, and other marginalized groups.;
- Embed various aspects of entrepreneurial competencies and start-up ecosystems within TVET institutions, thereby promoting self-reliance and enterprise creation among learners, and
- Share and apply best practices and innovative approaches in TVET entrepreneurship education by fostering regional cooperation among CPSC member countries for continuous system improvement
Expected Outputs and Outcomes
- Understand the entrepreneurial and futuristic skills to be imparted by the TVET educational system.
- Appreciate the role of the TVET system in achieving sustainable development goal related to quality education and poverty alleviation through promotion of Entrepreneurship
- Prepare an action plan for integrating entrepreneurship and skills enhancement in the TVET education system.
Program Contents
Special Lecture: Integrating Future-ready Skills and Entrepreneurship in TVET for Sustainable Development by Prof. (Dr.) Suresh K. Dhameja
Theme Papers
- Theme Paper 1: Comprehending Entrepreneurial Skills and Mindset
- Theme Paper 2: Integrating Technopreneurship and Entrepreneurial Skills in TVET Curriculum
- Theme Paper 3: Transformative Leadership in the TVET System
- Theme Paper 4: Traversing the Journey of an Entrepreneur: Lessons Learnt and Challenges Faced
- Theme Paper 5: Futuristic Skills for Industry 4.0: A TVET Perspective
- Theme Paper 6: Role of Business Incubators in Developing Entrepreneurial Skills
Group Work Activities (GWA)
- GWA 1: Analysis of National TVET Systems to Identify Gaps and Opportunities in Entrepreneurship Integration - Group discussion and situational analysis of participants’ countries/systems.
- GWA 2: Preparation and Presentation of Institutional/National Action Plan for Integrating Entrepreneurial and Future-ready Skills in TVET - Collaborative creation of actionable strategies and presentation for peer review.
International Conference on “TVET for Sustainable Future: Strengthening Entrepreneurial and Innovative Skills”
Instructional Strategies
The program involves different learning methods, such as:
- Theme paper presentations
- Case Studies
- Group Work Activities
- Study Tour
- Web-Based Teaching and Learning System through OnCOURSE
- Action Planning
Participants' Profile
The proposed participants in this Regional Program will comprise TVET Administrators/Managers, Policymakers, Directors/Principals, Industrial coordinators, Curriculum Experts, and mid-to-senior-level TVET Teachers/trainers from government institutions of member countries.
Date and Venue
The five-day program shall be held from 17-21 November 2025 at the National Institute of Technical Teachers Training and Research (NITTTR) – Chandigarh, India
Program Facilities
To conduct the program smoothly, the following facilities are required:
- Laptop computers (preferably, participants to bring their own laptop)
- Internet Connection (LAN/WAN)
- Audio and Video Equipment
- Multimedia Projector and Projection Screen
- Flipcharts and large papers (for brainstorming activities)
Program Management and Resource Persons
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Program Schedule
