Reinforcing Sub-regional Co-operation and Knowledge Sharing

To develop basic capacities and expertise for training TVET trainers in the use of ICTs and in other key areas through open and distance learning was the overall goal of a workshop for UNEVOC Centres that took place in Mauritius on 18-22 April 2005. UNESCO-UNEVOC, the UNESCO Regional Bureau for Education in Africa (BREDA) and the Commonwealth of Learning (COL) jointly organised this seminar for key personnel and designated coordinators from SADC UNEVOC Centres in the use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) and the application of COL's Technical and Vocational Teacher Training Core Curriculum. It aimed at strengthening UNEVOC Centres and at ensuring continuous activities towards the success and quality of TVET.

The twenty-three participants of the workshop are key players in the training of trainers. Several experts in open and distance learning (ODL) and key personnel in the application of ICTs also participated. The participants represented the following institutions:

• SADC UNEVOC Centres (training coordinators and trainers)
• Industrial and Vocational Training Board (IVTB), Ministry of Training, Skills Development and Productivity, Mauritius
• Commonwealth of Learning
• UNESCO-UNEVOC International Centre
• UNESCO/BREDA
• UNESCO Office in Harare

The workshop took place within the context of a series of regional and sub-regional training seminars launched by the UNESCO-UNEVOC International Centre. One of such initiative is Learning for Life, Work and Future (LLWF): Stimulating Reform in Southern Africa through Sub-regional Co-operation, which was jointly organized by the Department of Vocational Education and Training of the Ministry of Education of Botswana and the UNESCO-UNEVOC International Centre. The training needs of TVET trainers in the SADC region were identified in the workshop Status and Needs of TVET Trainers in the SADC Sub-region (Final Report, PDF, xx KB), organised in Mauritius in March 2003.

The workshop was very useful and much appreciated by all participants. It was recommended that a further workshop be held to track the progress achieved. This workshop should focus on an in-depth quantitative and qualitative analysis of the action taken. Also, Seychelles agreed to take on responsibility for the reactivation of a SADC TVET online forum and to help facilitate sub-regional dialogue.