When vocational institutions commit themselves to creating a distinctive sustainability profile, they are able to attract more students. A clear profile also strengthens companies, who will benefit from trainees (and then employees) well-versed in the principles of sustainability.
A focus on sustainability provides vocational institutions, companies and students with exclusive opportunities to collaborate at a local and international level, as well as opportunities to expand their knowledge and strengthen their brand.
Vocational education connects smart hands with smart minds. I am delighted to be receiving vocational training because it provides me with the concrete knowledge, skills and perspectives I need to help create the sustainable solutions of the future. - Student from media and graphics
The above statements are some of the conclusions of the report ”Primed for Sustainability – A New Narrative about Technical and Vocational Education and Training”, drafted and published by The Danish National Commission for UNESCO.
The report shows ...
- … that almost a quarter of Denmark’s vocational institutions have a strategic focus on the SDGs, both in their teaching and in their day-today operations.
- … that teaching students about sustainability makes them agents of change, who are able to help create sustainable solutions within businesses and their local communities.
- … that vocational institutions find that sustainability motivates students, particularly when the focus is on concrete action that can help overcome a sense of powerlessness.
- … that teaching sustainability also helps to produce insightful students with their own convictions, equipping them with the skills needed to identify new approaches to enhance sustainability.
- … that UNESCO’s global network can reinforce the efforts of the vocational institutions by sharing new knowledge and through international recognition.
UNESCO is paving the way for a new narrative:
UNESCO’s evidence-based expertise and its global network provide new knowledge and possibilities. UNESCO runs the “UNEVOC Network”, a global network of technical and vocational institutions whose objective is to encourage the development of technical and vocational training and to transform vocational institutions into agents of change.
UNESCO has produced the guide, ”Greening technical and vocational education and training – A practical guide for institutions”, which offers advice to leaders and professionals on how to set up educational courses focusing on a sustainable future.