Understanding the return on investment from TVET

In the face of rapid technological progress, threats to environmental sustainability, and demographic transitions, how can we adapt our education and training systems for the changing world of work? As Member States scale up their efforts to advance progress on the 17 Sustainable Development Goals, there is an urgent need to develop the knowledge, skills and competencies to meet professional and societal demands.

The strengthening of technical and vocational education and training (TVET) is an important strategy to contribute to equitable, inclusive and sustainable economies and societies. The United Nations (2015) lists ensuring ‘inclusive and equitable quality education’ and promoting ‘lifelong learning opportunities for all’ as one of its Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 4). However, in a world of competing demands for public and private spending on education, this comes with challenges for the financing of professional skills training that not only guarantees societal benefits and economic returns, but also provides data-driven evidence of the return on investment (ROI) from TVET.  read more