International cooperation in the field of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) is gaining new momentum from northern Rhineland-Palatinate in Germany. In a formal launch event on 17 June 2025, the Koblenz Chamber of Crafts (Handwerkskammer Koblenz – HwK Koblenz) was officially welcomed as a new member of the UNEVOC Network. As part of this global community of over 240 institutions from more than 150 countries, HwK Koblenz joins a collective mission to enhance the quality and relevance of TVET worldwide through knowledge sharing, collaboration and the promotion of innovative solutions to current challenges.

“The Koblenz Chamber of Crafts has always believed that vocational education is a powerful driver of progress,” stated Ralf Hellrich, Chief Executive Officer of HwK Koblenz, during the opening address at the Chamber’s Metal and Technology Centre. “For many years, we have been actively involved in international cooperation, through partnerships, projects and exchange programmes. Becoming part of the UNEVOC Network opens up exciting opportunities to expand our outreach, build new bridges and contribute to global dialogue on how to improve vocational education worldwide.”

Friedrich Huebler, Head of UNESCO-UNEVOC, joined the ceremony to personally welcome HwK Koblenz to the Network. Mr Huebler noted, “Your membership strengthens the UNEVOC Network not only with practical expertise, but with a model of collaboration.” Together with Ralf Hellrich and Kurt Krautscheid, President of HwK Koblenz, he celebrated the official inauguration by presenting the UNEVOC Network membership plaque.

In addition to the formal plaque handover, the event featured insights into regional TVET practices.

Kenny Muscat, Regional Focal Point for the UNEVOC Network in Europe, CIS and North America, presented on UNESCO-UNEVOC’s programmes to support peer learning, knowledge exchange and mutual assistance among UNEVOC Centres at the regional and global level.

Nora Herkenrath, a joiner from Idar-Oberstein, shared her work experience gained during training internships in Ireland and Sweden. “I not only improved my English skills,” she said, “but also developed the confidence to engage openly with people from different backgrounds. That significantly strengthened both my independence and self-esteem.”

Genoveva Bleser, from the Wilfried Bleser Heating and Sanitation Service in Plaidt, emphasized the opportunities presented by Germany’s dual training system and highlighted the importance of international networks and cooperation: “Cross-border exchange in vocational education is a tremendous asset. It fosters mutual respect and tolerance among people of different nationalities and cultures.”

Representatives from the German Federal Ministry for Education, Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth (BMBFSFJ) and two German UNEVOC Centres – The Federal Institute for Vocational Education and Training (BIBB) and the Chamber of Skilled Crafts Ostwestfalen-Lippe zu Bielefeld (HwK OWL) – also took part in the inauguration ceremony. The event concluded with a tour of the HwK Koblenz training workshops, followed by a networking reception that provided valuable opportunities for future collaboration.

For more information about the UNEVOC Network, please visit: About the UNEVOC Network