The success of universal primary education in developing countries over the last decade has translated into huge systemic pressure to expand both general and technical and vocational secondary education. Skills are increasingly seen as critical to educational development, labour market inclusion and economic growth making TVET one of the four priority areas in UNESCO’s education programme.

TVET is an integral part of the Education for All initiative and through its orientation towards the world of work and the  acquisition of skills plays an essential role in promoting a country’s economic growth and contributing to poverty reduction; ensuring the social and economical inclusion of marginalized communities.

TVET helps learners acquire skills, knowledge and attitudes needed to develop professional careers and enter the world of work as well as active citizenship and lifelong learning.

UNESCO is dedicated to advancing learning opportunities for disadvantaged groups and in particular women and youth to enable them to successfully integrate into the world of work and society at large.