In the face of ongoing conflict, the need for a robust Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) system in Sudan has never been more critical. November 24 -25, 2024, the British Council, in collaboration with Red Sea University, convened the first ever high-level TVET workshop in Port Sudan, bringing together TVET leaders from five states; Kassala, Red Sea, Gadarif, Blue Nile, and Khartoum, along with employer representatives to address pressing challenges and pave the way for a resilient TVET educational framework. The workshop aimed to assess the current state of the TVET system in Sudan and develop a plan for a comprehensive framework to enhance the system, ensuring it meets the needs of the present and transitions effectively to post-conflict development.
Opening remarks from Rebecca Picton, Country Director of the British Council Sudan, and Prof. Abdelghadir Badawi, Vice Chancellor of Red Sea University underscored the significance of the workshop in navigating the complexities of the current educational landscape in Sudan.
“We, in Red Sea University, truly believe HE also has a role to contribute to when it comes to TVET, which respond to the labour market and the aspiration of the young people, We acknowledge that there are some big challenges but with smart partnerships with local institutes and organizations like the British Council we can collectively work to overcome them..” – Prog Abdelgadir Badawi, Red Sea university vice chancellor
The breakout sessions focused on current challenges within the TVET system in Sudan were particularly impactful, allowing participants to delve deeper into specific challenges such as curriculum development, teacher training, and industry collaboration, identifying key areas for improvement, fostering a spirit of collaboration and shared purpose.
“I knew that technical education curriculum is a big area of improvement, and just listening to the different participants talking about how they individually work on it, made me very sure and a bit aware that there are so many good initiatives that we need to adapt and collaborate with on the national centre for curriculum development for the sake of developing updated and relevant materials.” – Mubarak Ishag, Technical Education director, NCCER
During an inspiring keynote session on the second day that highlighted the UK TVET system speakers John Mountford, Director of John Mountford Consultancy and Emma Meredith, Director of Skills Policy and Global Engagement, Association of Colleges shared valuable insights and experiences, illustrating how effective vocational training can transform lives and communities.
The highlight of Day 2 was an interactive session on adapting UK best practices to Sudan’s unique context. This engaging discussion encouraged participants to think critically about how to tailor successful strategies from the UK to fit the local environment. The group discussions yielded innovative ideas and sparked enthusiasm for implementing these practices within Sudan's TVET system.
“For years we as a company knew how to acquire the skilled workers we need, not only that but also develop their skills to fit the changing needs, but now I understand that this responsibility is better shared with others to ensure sustainability and the best standards for Sudan labour market.”
The workshop achieved several significant outcomes:
- A clearer understanding of the current challenges faced by the TVET system, particularly in the conflict-affected regions,
- The development of actionable strategies for improvement, informed by collaborative discussions and expert insights
- Strengthened partnerships among stakeholders, laying the groundwork for ongoing collaboration and shared goals.
Key recommendations from the workshop are:
- emphasis on developing and updating curricula
- training and developing teachers and instructors
- supporting system infrastructure
- diversifying funding opportunities and sources, and
- strengthening industry and institutional partnerships.
As the workshop concluded, participants left with a renewed sense of purpose and a commitment to enhancing the TVET landscape in Sudan. The collaborative spirit showcased throughout these two days serves as a testament to the collective dedication to fostering educational and training excellence.
“…Now I know all of this, I will share it among the network of employers that we have to create a fund from employers corporate social responsibility budgets to support technical schools and vocational training centres” – Osman Elamin, Nile petroleum Director General
British Council Sudan will join local working group members in early March to develop an actionable roadmap for the proposed new national TVET improvement framework, building on discussions from this workshop.
