In the midst of retreating globalization, threats posed by climate change, growing youth unemployment and the COVID-19 pandemic are exacerbating a sense of uncertainty for children and young people, while they live their lives and prepare for the future and for the world of work. On 8 September 2020, the final report of the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Policy Review in Mongolia was officially launched in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, offering timely recommendations to strengthen skills needed in a rapidly changing world. On behalf of UNESCO, Mr. Tapan Mishra, UN Resident Coordinator in Mongolia, presented both the English and Mongolian volumes of the Report to Ms. Ariunzaya Ayush, Mongolian Minister of Labour and Social Protection (MoLSP).

Hon. Ariunzaya Ayush, Mongolian Minister of Labour and Social Protection, expressed her sincere appreciation to UNESCO for partnering with MoLSP so as to review the TVET Sector and make policy recommendations for action by the Mongolian Government and partners.

The Minister reminded launch participants of the critical importance of TVET and skills development, lauding the Report as a significant contribution well aligned with Mongolia’s goal and socioeconomic policy framework for transitioning to a digital economy. She pledged her commitment to implementing the significant TVET sector reform proposed in recommendations made, stating that TVET “is one of the priority areas for the government and Mongolia to develop” and declaring “This TVET review report will be my new tabletop book.”

TVET aims to empower youth with relevant technical and vocational skills to transition into adult economic and social roles, and to effectively contribute to their community’s socioeconomic development. The Minister affirmed that, under her administration, TVET sector transformation in Mongolia will take place in line with the principles of Sustainable Development Goal 4: seeking to ensure access, equity, inclusion, quality and lifelong learning, leaving no one behind.

Mr. Tapan Mishra, the UN Resident Coordinator, commended the in-depth review of the TVET sector, leading to clear policy recommendations for implementation. He applauded UNESCO’s dedication to strengthening the TVET sector in Mongolia, which will ultimately contribute to a holistic, equitable and quality development of the country, and towards achieving all Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG4 and SDG8. Mr. Mishra assured the Minister of the Mongolia UN Country Team’s strong commitment to work with MoLS to advance TVET and Skills Development in Mongolia.

Dr. Marielza Oliveira, Director of UNESCO Beijing Cluster Office, reiterated UNESCO’s strong commitment to TVET, including to the continued support to MoLSP and other Mongolian institutions in translating the key recommendations of the TVET Policy Review Report into actions. She affirmed that conclusion of the policy review is not an end to the UNESCO’s support to Mongolia, but actually the beginning of a critical process to align TVET education and skills development with the needs of the Mongolian labour market and knowledge economy. The Director mentioned that such UNESCO efforts have already started, with designation of three Mongolian centers as members of UNESCO’s global knowledge network of TVET Institutions and centres of excellence – the UNEVOC network – so as to benefit from exchanges, institutional capacity development and cooperation. Dr. Oliveira recognized the contributions made by these 3 Mongolian Centres to the TVET Policy review.

The Review was a critical analysis of the TVET Sector and the Institutions and programmes and an in-depth assessment of the policies and programmes are aligned to the develop aspirations of the Mongolian Government. During the review, the UNESCO project team undertook several missions to the country, during which it held numerous meetings with key stakeholders and visited training centres, universities and workplaces. The report from the validation workshop in September 2019 compiled at the national level provided inputs to the policy review.

A presentation by Mr. Hiromichi Katayama, Programme Specialist at the TVET Section at UNESCO Headquarters, covered the five major recommendations made in the TVET Policy Review Report: (i). Improving effectiveness of participatory governance and management, (ii). Improving financial management of the TVET system, Improving the image and reputation of TVET, (iii). Increasing Flexibility of programme delivery modalities to serve training needs of all ages (iv) Improving financial management for TVET systems and (v) using labour market information for TVET.

Ms. Beate Dippmar from GIZ presented on behalf of the donor development partners on the reflections on the TVET policy review.

Due to COVID-19, the launch was organized simultaneously in the UN House in Ulaanbaatar and virtually online. A total of 30 participants physically attended the launch, representing the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection, the Ministry of Education and Sciences, the Mongolian National Commission for UNESCO, UNESCO HQ and Beijing Office, UN agencies, development partners, research institutes and private sector. The launch was covered widely in national and local media in Mongolia.