“The Vietnamese Green Growth Strategy (VGGS) emphasises that Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) plays a significant role in sustainable and green development by training a skilled labour force for a green economy”, Dr Pham Nang Khanh, Deputy Director, Directorate of Vocational Education Training (DVET) pointed out at one of the training workshops “Multiplier Training Workshop on Implementation of Greening TVET Institutes”. Two workshops took place from 5 to 6 July in Hanoi and on 11 July 2018 in Ho Chi Minh City. Nearly 100 representatives from DVET, Ho Chi Minh City Department of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs (DoLISA), the business sector, and TVET institutes from across the country participated. Through intensive training, group work and discussion sessions, many recommendations and lessons learnt were derived. As a result, the participants developed realistic measures to transform their respective TVET institutes into greener learning and training environments.

Acknowledging that green TVET brings benefits to both, the economy and TVET institutes, the participants identified challenges that the greening process poses to TVET institutes. These include the lack of specific regulation and guidance for greening TVET and limited financial resources to invest in green technologies. In addition, the participants referred to a limited awareness and competence of TVET staff and trainees in applying green practices in training activities.

By facilitating lively discussions among participants at both system and institutional level, the workshops explored solutions to tackle the challenges of the greening process and allowed TVET practitioners to exchange green initiatives among each other. The participants agreed that besides being the key provider for green jobs and green skills to foster the green economy, TVET institutes should act as role models for eco-friendliness to raise awareness of their staff, their trainees and the society as a whole. Examples for living this role are as simple as saving resources and energy while operating TVET institutes, establishing green clubs or organising green campaigns and competitions. Using new digital technology and social media is another example for promoting the topic. Developing e-learning training offers, blended learning and educational smart phone applications are among the ideas that have been discussed in the workshops.

For the system level, recommendations include the issue of legislation on greening TVET institutes and incentive policies to promote greening TVET. Moreover, “as ‘Green’ TVET is a new concept, it is necessary to develop a set of criteria to define a ‘Green’ TVET institute so that TVET institutes can self-assess and develop suitable action plans towards greening”, Mr Nguyen Van Huy from Ha Noi Industrial Vocational College recommended.

“The comprehensive process of greening TVET institutes requires a systematic and holistic approach. This effort demands the commitment of all stakeholders, especially the business sector, which is the driver of the green economy”, said Dr Phan Chinh Thuc, Vice President of Viet Nam Association of Vocational Education and Training – Social Works (VAVET&SOW) at the closing of the workshop in Hanoi. The recommendations and inputs from both workshops will be consolidated and put on the website of DVET and disseminated to TVET institutes.

This activity is held within the component “Policy Advice and System Reform” as part of the Vietnamese-German “Programme Reform of TVET in Viet Nam”. The programme is financed by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), implemented by Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) together with the Vietnamese Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs (MoLISA).