Every TVET must choose the appropriate instrument and decide on the concrete steps for animation, coordination and governance. He stressed on the importance of planning which is a strong instrument in ensuring TVET sustainability. The commitment to planning will help to safeguard from external influences, preserve from self-referential mission and help to manage conflict. We need to plan constantly keeping in mind our mission to the young people.
In his address Fr. Alphonse Owoudou, the Regional councillor for Africa-Madagascar, stressed on the importance of everyone having a positive mentality and vision of sustainability of TVET centres. He urged the participants to focus more on the future of the centres and of the young people. The young people when they leave our centre should be able to sustain themselves and the society. He emphasized on the importance of maintaining the solidarity in our Salesian presences in order to make them stronger.
Br. John Njuguna, Don Bosco Tech Africa Deputy Director, who coordinated the meeting, presented a TVET Sustainability mind map which looked at sustainability at two levels: the Global and Institutional Level. At the institutional level resource management, training programs, governance and management need to be clearly defined and practiced in order to promote sustainable TVET systems. There is a need to come up with green economy ideas that will help halt the effects of climate change globally. Being aware of the technological development and the global development trends is an important aspect since it will help keep our TVET at par with the changing world.
The issue of carrying out analysis of both internal and external factors that affects our TVET centres was emphasized. This analysis will help TVET managers come up with strategies that will lead to better sustainable TVET systems.
TVET sustainability system helps to improve the corporate culture, enables TVET centres to meet consumer expectations, enhances innovation, reduces operational costs, attracts investors, and gains competitive advantage among others.
Mr. Steffen Möhlendick, the Project Manager - Public Cooperation Partners at Don Bosco Mondo had the opportunity to address the participants where he talked on the importance of capacity development, strengthening of our unique selling points, creation of databases for decision making and networking which are important factors for sustainability. He also gave examples of some of the best practices in the Salesian world from which participants can learn and come up with ideas that can make a better Africa.
Fr. TJ George, Executive Director Don Bosco Tech Africa, emphasized on the need for stakeholders to be part of DBTA’s Theory of Change which will help in providing quality training to the young people. He also stressed on the importance of looking into sustainability not only as generating money but also preserving and managing better the resources in our institutions. He urged the participants to encourage young people to be innovative which will help in sustainability and in improving their lives.
He thanked all the participants for their presence and continued support.
While contributing to the topic of discussion, participants all in unison reiterated the importance of TVET sustainability. They agreed that defining and aligning the TVET goals is important and that there is a need to come up with ideas that will enhance our TVETS and not always relying on donor funding.
The two-day meeting brought together 45 participants who included the Province Youth Ministry Delegate (PYD), Province Technical and Vocational Education and Training Coordinator (PTVET), the Job Service Officers (JSOs), Planning and Development Office (PDO), TVET centre directors and DBTA partners.
