Improving the Digital Readiness and Resilience of TVET Systems in ASEAN

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The COVID-19 pandemic caused significant disruptions to Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) around the world. To contain the spread of the virus, most governments temporarily closed education and training institutions. Some training providers were forced to cease operations, while other training providers shifted to alternative delivery methods as a short-term emergency response measure.

The pandemic accelerated technological advancements in TVET training delivery, as training providers looked for innovative ways to continue delivering training. Many training providers introduced new meeting platforms and learning management systems or upgraded existing systems. Teachers conducted interactive classes using webinar platforms and stayed in touch with students using online messaging services.

There is an opportunity for TVET systems to adopt more flexible and resilient training delivery methods long-term. Digital tools can improve TVET training delivery, making it less expensive, more accessible and safer; however, quality online training needs to adequately replicate the hands-on, applied nature of TVET. Blended learning, where TVET training is delivered through a mix of face to face and online training, can offer greater flexibility to students, which can particularly benefit women and those with caring responsibilities.

As TVET training becomes increasingly digitalised, there is a risk that people without access to technology, and with limited digital skills, will be left behind. Ensuring universal access to training needs to be a key priority for Governments. Governments and training providers will need to invest in training for TVET professionals, to ensure that training providers can make the most of new technologies while maintaining quality training provision and strong student outcomes.

The ASEAN TVET Council (ATC) provides a platform for coordination, research and development on innovations that support the advancement of TVET among ASEAN member states. The ATC has created a work plan to guide ATC in carrying out its mandate through activities in the period 2021-2030.

This short course will support the ATC in achieving the following outcomes:

• Outcome 2: Improved digital readiness, resilience to disruptions and ability to adjust TVET systems and TVET institutions to adapt and respond to emerging trends; Enhanced digital competencies/capacities of TVET systems and TVET institutions / training centres
• Outcome 3: Enhanced capacity of TVET personnel (political decision makers, managers, teachers and trainers at schools and in companies).

The short course will be delivered under Australia’s new Digital Transformation and Future Skills initiative, which was announced as part of a package to support Australia’s Comprehensive Strategic Partnership with ASEAN. This topic has been chosen as it was identified by the ASEAN TVET Council as a priority for its cooperation with Australia under the ASEAN-Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

The short course will be delivered twice. The short course will build networks between ASEAN member states and Australia and facilitate an exchange of expertise on improving the digital readiness and resilience of TVET systems, including between the two cohorts.

The short course will include face to face components in Australia as well as online components. In Australia, students will have an opportunity to meet with representatives from Australian Government organisations and hear from leaders in the field.

Course Objectives 

This short course consists of a 1-day online briefing/workshop followed by a 2-week course in Australia. The course will focus on the following learning objectives:

• Reflect on the challenges TVET institutions faced in the shift to online delivery during the pandemic and the related quality assurance issues arising for governments
• Determine the most appropriate infrastructure investments in digital systems to support digital TVET delivery with the aim of assisting in the potential development of an ATC digital platform
• Understand the most appropriate mechanisms to upskill TVET teachers for enhanced digital learning: what skills do they need, how can these be delivered and how can skills be kept updated
• Understand how governments and TVET institutions can best develop learning resources for online delivery and keep them updated
• Identify opportunities to leverage existing training programmes that promote safe, responsible and appropriate use of ICT for teaching and learning (for students, teachers, school heads, educational managers), including promoting digital citizenship and educational technology leadership (e.g., TechEXCELS, GURO, MT4T – ASEAN HRD Roadmap)
• Ensure the safety of users of digital learning resources and systems (cyber security, data privacy, etc).

The course is designed for TVET professionals from ASEAN countries, including representatives from governments, TVET training providers, industry associations and universities.

Dates and Location 

Group 1

• Online briefing: March 2023 (date TBC)
• In-Australia course: May 2023

Group 2

• Online briefing: April 2023 (date TBC)
• In-Australia course: June 2023 

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