Set for 12 September 2024, the closing panel of WorldSkills Conference 2024: Moving TVET to the top of the global agenda, promises to be a must-attend session. Key stakeholders and high-level government officials will gather to synthesize major themes emerging from the two-day Conference, and finalize the crucial steps needed to advance TVET globally.
From 16:00 to 17:30 (GMT+2), a panel of international experts will join Conference moderator and award-winning journalist Georgie Ndirangu on stage at the WorldSkills Assembly Hall at Eurexpo Lyon:
- Nardos Bekele-Thomas, Chief Executive Officer of the African Union Development Agency (AUDA-NEPAD)
- Borhene Chakroun, Director for Policies and Lifelong Learning Systems, UNESCO
- Srinivas B. Reddy, Chief of Skills and Employability Branch, ILO
- Dara Treseder, Chief Marketing Officer, Autodesk
- Marty Guay, VP Business Development, Stanley Black & Decker.
It is hoped that this influential panel will also be joined by the High Commissioner for Vocational and Educational Training in France.
The panel will kick off with a call to action from the Youth Forum, led by Yousra Assali, WorldSkills Champions Trust representative for MENA.
Yousra notes the importance of youth involvement in shaping TVET’s future, saying, “It is considered that young people do not know what we want, or that we have no idea about the future. But the truth is things are getting better through youth. We are that future, and we should have a seat at the table.”
Her words will set the tone for the discussions to follow, underscoring the importance of young voices in shaping the future of TVET. Together, the panelists will reflect on the key themes discussed throughout the Conference, including apprenticeships, foundational skills, skills development in fragile economies, addressing gender gaps in skills, and preparing for the green economy.
One crucial topic that will be addressed is the importance of foundational skills in TVET. This theme builds on the insights from an earlier session, “Brick by brick: Foundational skills for better TVET“, taking place from 11:00 to 12:00 (GMT +2). In that discussion, experts from UNESCO, ADEA, and industry leaders, will explore how TVET systems can address the critical gap in foundational skills among millions of young people worldwide.
Attendees of both sessions will gain a comprehensive understanding of this vital issue and its place in the global TVET agenda. The closing plenary will specifically offer insights into topics from the role of industry leaders in supporting education and workforce preparation, to the implementation of international policies and frameworks for advancing skill systems. Experts will share strategies to close skill gaps and enhance TVET’s global impact, building on the foundational skills dialogue from earlier in the day.
Ready to be part of discussions that will influence the future of skills development worldwide? Register now for WorldSkills Conference 2024 and download the event app, Whova, to RSVP for sessions and create your own schedule.