Theme: Innovative Pathways and Best Practices for the Promotion of TVET for Entrepreneurship and Youth Employment.
The University of South Africa (UNISA) will be hosting its second hybrid International Conference on Technical and Vocational Education and Training (ICTVET2026) from the 24 to 27 March 2026 at the Emperors Palace Hotel Casino Convention Resort, Gauteng, South Africa. The conference will be organized in close partnership with the UNESCO-UNEVOC International Centre for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) supported by the South African Public Colleges Organization (SAPCO – organization that represents 50 TVET Colleges in South Africa) and the Association of Technical Universities and Polytechnics in Africa (ATUPA), Education Training and Development Practices Sector Education and Training Authority (ETDP SETA) and the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET).
The theme of the conference is: “Innovative Pathways and Best Practices for the Promotion of TVET for Entrepreneurship and Youth Employment”. Innovative pathways involve integrating entrepreneurial learning into curricula, fostering partnerships with industry, and leveraging digital technologies. Best practices include developing entrepreneurial skills, providing access to resources, and promoting a culture of innovation within TVET institutions.
Geopolitical, technological, and economic shifts are redefining the global workforce, and TVET must evolve to equip individuals with future-proof skills. These dynamics in society and the economy call for greater nurturing of entrepreneurial thinking in the next generation. Indeed, the importance of entrepreneurial skills in equipping youth for the world of work and improving their capabilities to adapt to changing skills demands is well reflected in the commitments made by the international community.
SDG 4 on quality education and SDG 8 on decent work and economic growth call for the strengthening of skills for employment, decent jobs, and entrepreneurship. Globally, Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) systems are investing in new learning pathways, setting-up innovative initiatives and programmes, and developing new partnerships enabling responses to 21st century challenges.
Responsive skills development programmes need to ensure not only the functional consistency with the demands from the world of work, but also the development of transversal skills and competences that enable youth to respond to changing industry demands. TVET has the potential to bridge the gap between education and the labor market, offering young people the practical skills, technological literacy, and entrepreneurial competencies they need to thrive.
This conference will explore how TVET can give learners/students tools to create their own jobs and career paths, or to bring an entrepreneurial mindset to their role as an employee, thus improving job security.