'BILT' initiative of the UNEVOC network by UNESCO
The Bridging Innovation and Learning in TVET (BILT) project
Designation: BILT Initiative. Bringing innovation and learning closer together in technical vocational education and training.
Project: Initiative promoted by the Profesional International Center for Vocational Education and Training (UNESCO-UNEVOC), with the support of the German Federal Institute for Vocational Educational and Training (BIBB) and sponsored by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF).
Partners: A wide range of technical VET (TVET) stakeholders from the UNESCO regions (Europe, Africa and Asia-Pacific), from the Hospitality-Tourism and Construction sectors. For each sector, an Expert Group has been set up to address current challenges in VET systems, arising from technological, social, environmental and labour changes.
Website: https://unevoc.unesco.org/bilt/The+BILT+Approach
The ‘BILT’ project aims to foster knowledge exchange between stakeholders in the first instance, and between Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions in Africa, Asia-Pacific and Europe, so that good practices and lessons learned are made available to other key actors in TVET.
The project complements national developments to explore and support innovative modes of society-oriented learning and cooperation in TVET, implementing the UNESCO Strategy for TVET 2022-2029, in particular, and providing with dialogue on the identification of competences needed for the transition to the digital and green economy. It also strengthens partnerships between TVET stakeholders and broadens the impact of the UNEVOC Network as a leading voice in education and training.
The BILT Agenda 2025 aims to ‘promoting modern and competitive skills and competences in TVET through the creation of international links between innovation and learning’. This Agenda is a joint UNESCO-UNEVOC initiative, supported by the German Federal Institute for Education and Vocational Training (BIBB) and under the patronage of the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) that supports the achievement of the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, in particular objectives: No. 4 ensuring inclusive, equitable and quality education and promoting lifelong learning opportunities for all; and No. 17 strengthening the means of implementation and revitalising the global partnership for sustainable development.
BILT addresses four thematic areas: digitalisation, greening, entrepreneurship and integration of migrants, and focuses on strengthening active partnerships between Europe, Africa and Asia-Pacific by organising events to work together, develop and disseminate knowledge on innovations and emerging trends in new skills and competences. Focusing also on the dual digital and ecological transition, strengthening learning between TVET institutions.
So far, three expert groups have been set up, which help implement the BILT project by conducting research, contributing with case studies and writing publications:
- In 2021, an expert group produced the three-volume publication 'New qualifications and competences for future-oriented TVET'.
- In 2023, an expert group was appointed to work on the impact of the dual green and digital transition on the skills needs for the hotel and tourism sector and the TVET system.
- In 2024, the group of experts for Building and Construction, to which the Fundación Laboral de la Construcción belongs, has been created.
Between 2024 and 2025 this Expert Group will focus on new skills and competences for building and construction in Africa, Asia-Pacific and Europe. With a thematic perspective on digitalisation, greening and international migration, the Expert Group will investigate approaches to ensure innovative and future-oriented TVET that is in tune with the demands of individuals, the labour market and society at large.
The expert group is led by ConCOVE T, hura (New Zealand), with the support from the Centre d'Etudes et de Recherches sur les Qualifications (Céreq, France) and the Council of Registered Builders of Nigeria (CORBON). These activities will support the implementation of the UNESCO Strategy for TVET 2022-2029 and the 2024-2026 Medium-Term Strategy of the UNESCO-UNEVOC.
