Sustainable VET along the Supply Chain

Greening VET at TVET Institutions - Measuring Effects and Justice Implications

For the purpose of greening TVET and for establishing effective sustainability, the entire supply chain needs to be considered. Therefore, it is useful to take a closer look at each individual stage of the supply chain in a given industry and to assess and address the relevant requirements for greening TVET. Analytical, user-friendly tools that can be used across different industries to support this process can be very valuable in this context.

Context for Sustainable VET along the Supply Chain

An advisory tool that can be used to analyse any supply chain is VET Chain. It has been developed by the German Office for international Cooperation in Vocational Education and Training (GOVET) at Federal Institute for Vocational Education and Training (BIBB). VET Chain is an interactive workshop tool that enables participants either to contribute actively, or to take part in a purely observant role, and which can be applied to serve the following objectives:

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Analysing and discussing different industries with their unique characteristics, environmental impact and possibilities for greening helps to understand the various options for greening VET and to devise appropriate measures. Taking a look at e.g. the textile industry, agriculture or the construction sector helps to develop a thorough understanding of the drivers for greening a respective industry and to reveal the potential for establishing integral sustainability by addressing each individual stage of the supply chain.

Panelists for Sustainable VET along the Supply Chain

Keynote Speakers: Dr. Hannelore Kress and Julia Olesen, German Office for international Cooperation in Vocational Education and Training (GOVET) at Federal Institute for Vocational Education and Training (BIBB)

Exchange Sessions:

Key Takeaways on Sustainable VET along the Supply Chain:

  • Focusing on the value chain for the purpose of greening business processes is particulary useful for industries with a large environmental impact, such as construction, agriculture, the garment industry, or transportation and logistics.
  • The following factors can trigger or enhance the motivation for greening TVET curricula along the entire supply chain: global trends and necessities like the need for economic efficiency or the trend towards green urbanism, high environmental standards in important export markets, domestic and international consumers, sectoral associations, leading large manufacturers, etc.
  • Organizing curriculum development along the supply chain in a given industry ensures that as many conditions, success factors, threats and implications as possible can be identified, which are all relevant or specific to the respective industry.
  • Empowering TVET learners through greening TVET is enhanced by close and smooth cooperation between training providers, sectoral associations, and the private business sector.
  • Hence, engaging stakeholders in development of green curricula is essential to ensure the sustainable implementation of green TVET. Stakeholder engagement can be enhanced through an interactive tool like VET Chain that offers them both a structure for organizing their thoughts and ideas and a forum to exchange views and develop common visions and standards.
  • Before developing vocational training profiles, skills and skills gaps in a particular industry need to be assessed. This assessment may be carried out along the following categories: generic (transferable) skills, sector-specific skills, and occupation-specific skills.
  • Developing vocational training profiles in the context of a given supply chain ensures alignment with industry needs as they are closely linked to the respective industry conditions.
  • Alignment with industry needs is also reflected by the concept of opportunity-driven VET, where the VET offer starts from concrete employment opportunities created by investments, trade, economic diversification, value chain development or other market dynamics.
  • Lifelong learning and upskilling are essential – therefore, required green skills must be monitored regularly and green curricula need to be adapted continuously.

Ressources and Links