UNESCO Champions Inclusive, Green, and Digital Skills at International TVET Conference in Pune

UNESCO Champions Inclusive, Green, and Digital Skills at International TVET Conference in Pune

Pune, April 25, 2025:
UNESCO, in strategic partnership with the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) and Symbiosis Skills and Professional University (SSPU), hosted a landmark International Conference on Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) to shape the future of skills, innovation, and inclusive development in India. Held in Pune, the event attracted more than 500 delegates, including 40 industry leaders and representatives from 70 national and international institutions.

The conference placed a sharp focus on driving systemic reforms in the TVET ecosystem—emphasizing industry-integrated training models, capacity-building, public-private partnerships, and expanding digital, green, and gender-inclusive skill frameworks.

In a high-impact masterclass, Mr. Friedrich Huebler, Head of UNESCO-UNEVOC, shared global best practices on digital transformation in vocational training and the critical role of cross-sector collaboration in shaping future-ready workforces.

Delivering the keynote address, Sonam Wangchuk, Founding Director of the Himalayan Institute of Alternatives, called for experiential and climate-conscious learning. “AI and the internet can never replace hands-on learning,” he said. “We need to skill our youth to rebuild this planet and live in harmony.”

Dr. Neelma Gorhe, Deputy Chairperson of the Maharashtra Legislative Council, spoke powerfully on gender equity and workplace safety. “Committees for the prevention of sexual harassment are essential, but we also need systemic change. Gender equality must be embedded in our values, institutions, and actions,” she noted, citing the principles of the Beijing Declaration.

Highlighting the role of local government in workforce development, Mr. Shekhar Singh, Commissioner of Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC), emphasized, “Municipal bodies must transition from administrators to enablers of the skill ecosystem. Industry must work closely with civic agencies to shape impactful training models.”

In a special video address, Mr. Tim Curtis, Director of UNESCO’s South Asia Regional Office, reinforced the transformative power of vocational training. “It equips people with not only practical skills, but the knowledge, values, and mindset needed to build a peaceful and sustainable future.”

UNESCO’s Mr. Jian Xi Teng presented findings from the global report Changing the Equation: Securing STEM Futures for Women, advocating for increased data transparency, targeted support for women in STEM and TVET, and greater empowerment of gender-sensitive educators.

India’s youthful demographic—over 50% of the population under the age of 25—makes scaling high-impact skilling programs a national imperative. The Government of India’s recent investments, including the establishment of five National Centres of Excellence, signal strong momentum toward building a ‘Viksit Bharat’ (Developed India) through lifelong learning and employment-centric education.

Looking ahead, UNESCO announced its plan to train vocational educators from 20 institutions across India in 2025 through its Global Skills Academy, contributing to its ambitious global goal of reaching 10 million learners.

The conference also witnessed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between UNESCO and Symbiosis Skills & Professional University, paving the way for joint initiatives in inclusive skill development with a focus on STEM, green jobs, and digital transformation.

For more information, please contact:
Mr. Jian Xi Teng – jx.teng@unesco.org
Ms. Joyce Poan – j.poan@unesco.org