Strengthening TVET systems in West Africa

The Better Education for Africa’s Rise III (BEAR III)

project aims to improve youth employment opportunities and strengthen economies in Sub-Saharan Africa by addressing the requirements of the evolving labour market. The BEAR III project is funded by the Republic of Korea and is being implemented from 2023 to 2027. The current project phase targets new beneficiary countries in West Africa: Côte d'Ivoire, Ghana, Nigeria and Sierra Leone.

Through its Technical Cooperation Unit, UNESCO-UNEVOC mobilizes expertise from the UNEVOC Network to support capacity-building and technical assistance requests from UNESCO Member States and Field Offices. Within this framework, UNESCO-UNEVOC has partnered with UNESCO Headquarters and the UNESCO Regional Office in West Africa to jointly deliver hybrid training and capacity building for TVET managers and practitioners in the target countries as part of BEAR III.

How UNEVOC supports the BEAR III project

As part of the project, UNEVOC is working to strengthen the skills and competencies of TVET managers and staff to ensure that training is closely aligned with labour market demands and private sector expectations. Its role focuses on enhancing the capacity of TVET institutions to deliver high-quality, learner-centred and competency-based training. It also aims to build the leadership and management skills of institutional managers, particularly in areas such as quality assurance; strengthen the capacities of selected pilot TVET centres; and establish effective working modalities by equipping them with the necessary tools and frameworks to operate efficiently and sustainably.

UNESCO-UNEVOC was involved in two distinct programmes: the first targeted TVET centre managers, leaders and decision-makers, while the second focused on TVET teachers, trainers, practitioners and institutional leaders. Both programmes were delivered in a hybrid format, where the online phase emphasized theoretical learning and included interactive discussion forums to foster engagement and peer exchange, and the face-to-face workshops focused on practical application and networking, providing hands-on opportunities to refine institutional strategic plans and survey tools. In addition, the BEAR III Masterclasses were designed as interactive learning experiences, offering in-depth exploration of key topics in TVET and skills development.

Training Programme 1

This programme consisted of four core modules and four elective modules, with each participant required to choose one elective. Below is the list of core and elective modules.

Training Programme 2

This programme was structured around five modules. Below is the list of the modules.

After completing the online component, participants are tasked with developing strategic plans and tools through group assignments, as well as applying the frameworks and concepts learned during the programme. These drafts are further refined during national face-to-face workshops. The programme provides continuous coaching and mentoring—both online and in person—to ensure sustained learning and effective application.

UNESCO-UNEVOC aims to reach about 250 beneficiaries throughout the programme duration, which runs from March 2025 to June 2026.