Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutes play a vital role to prepare a high quality workforce which meets the skill requirements of a greening economy and society. Mr Quach Hoang Linh, representative of KAIFA Vietnam Industrial Co., Ltd., emphasized, “Each footprint we leave on the environment will possibly severely affect not only our generation but also our children’s and grandchildren’s.”

Under the umbrella of the Programme Reform of TVET in Viet Nam (GIZ), a three-day workshop from 18 to 20 October, 2017 took place at the Vocational College of Mechanics and Irrigation (VCMI) in Dong Nai. The objective of the workshop was to develop a basic training module on environmental protection, energy and resource efficiency. “The need to raise awareness and to change behaviour related to environmental protection, energy and resource efficiency, along with to acquire relevant knowledge and practical skills has become more urgent than ever.”, Ms Lisa-Marie Kreibich, Technical Advisor of the Programme Reform of TVET, stated during her opening remarks.  The workshop brought together representatives of both the college and the business sector to jointly draft a cross-occupational module on environmental protection, energy and resource efficiency which will be piloted at VCMI and subsequently integrated into training offers nation-wide . Participants defined the fundamental objectives, contents and outcome assessment of the module so as young trainees will get involved and committed to a green mindset and behaviours which they will bring into their workplace after graduation.

The workshop is flooded with everyday ideas from the teachers about ‘green’ concepts and activities which are currently being implemented at VCMI and which are planned to be carried out in the future to promote environmentally friendly behavior through a dynamic group discussion session; followed by a multitude of constructive opinions from corporate representatives on industrial requirements most graduates hardly meet when getting down to the actual work. In other words, the representatives of the companies articulated their demands which should be reflected in the basic training module. Based on the open and straightforward remarks, VCMI teachers, with the support of Dr Klaus-Dieter Mertineit, expert on Green TVET, Institut für nachhaltige Berufsbildung & Management-Services GmbH, have outlined the module whose topics range from chemicals, waste and energy to environmentally relevant laws and regulations to environmental management system. Highlighted are a focus on practice and visible consequences of action in order to gradually transform the attitudes of the trainees.

Making TVET greener is a long continuous journey which needs strong commitment and multi-lateral involvement of VCMI and the business sector. The Programme Reform of TVET in Viet Nam will further support this process. In a week’s time, seven key VCMI teachers present at this workshop will attend a training course in Germany. “I do believe that the basic training module will lay the first stone of an innovative and sustainable tactics of VCMI, step by step becoming a Centre of Excellence for Green TVET in 2020.”, Mr Nguyen Van Chuong, Rector of VCMI affirmed.