Within SERVE's development work, TVET for young people and adults has emerged as our main thematic focus.

TVET is defined by UNESCO as "those aspects of the educational process involving, in addition to general education, the study of technologies and related sciences and the acquisition of practical skills, attitudes, understanding and knowledge relating to occupation in various sectors of economic life".

SERVE agrees with UNESCO's view that "there is no such thing as formal TVET or non formal TVET; it is TVET given in a formal or non formal way. Standardised vocational skills and competencies are given formally or non formally.

Catering Students at Young Africa Mozambique

Advocating for TVET in the Post - 2015 Agenda

In 2012, the United Nations (UN) initiated a process to shape the global development agenda, building on the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) as their 2015 end date was approaching. In the 'My World 2015' survey, people were able to choose their top six priorities out of sixteen areas covering issues such as education, water and sanitation, gender equality and health. There were more than 850,000 participants from 194 countries. The majority of participants - 584,329 people - chose a good education as the top priority for the post - 2015 development agenda.

In 2013, SERVE's advocacy work focused on the issue of TVET. The campaign was focused on increasing awareness of TVET amongst our network and the wider public, and promoting TVET amongst the development sector in Ireland. SERVE ran a short campaign to encourage past volunteers and the Irish public to contribute to the UN "My World 2015" campaign. We asked people to choose "education" as a priority, and also asked people to vote for "better job opportunities" as this was the closest available option to TVET. In total, 65 people responded within the time frame of the campaign which ran for 6 weeks. The SERVE contribution did account for 6% of the total responses from Ireland in 2013.

This campaign was timed to coincide with a seminar held by SERVE in the Irish Aid Volunteer Centre in April 2013 - entitled "TVET: Engaging Civil Society in the Post 2015 Development Agenda". This was led by the Director of YA Zimbabwe, Ms. Enet Mukurazita. Enet outlined the work that Young Africa do in providing vocational training and life skills training to young people in Southern Africa. It was attended by 50 people including representatives from Irish Aid, Electric Aid, the RTE One World Fund and Concern Zimbabwe. There was a vibrant discussion about the potential, and common pitfalls, associated with TVET programmes.

To watch Enet speak about the TVET programme at Young Africa Zimbabwe, please click here.

Enet Mukurazita presenting in the Irish Aid Volunteer Centre in Dublin

Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) & TVET

When agreeing an agenda for the post 2015 discussion, the consultations noted that a major challenge in education and training was to establish better links with employment opportunities and employability. One recurring theme was that education systems are failing to equip young people with relevant skills and competencies for securing decent work. The education system is not responsive to the labour market and an outdated curriculum did not provide skills for the 21st Century resulting in widespread youth unemployment and reduced productivity. As a result, in comparison with the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), place a much greater emphasis on TVET and the importance of getting as many young people as possible into dignified employment. SERVE welcome the fact that TVET is now seen as an important part of the development agenda for 2015 - 2030.

Below is an illustrated account of Sustainable Development Goals 4 and 8, including the targets that specifically outline a commitment to vocational and skills training and tackling youth unemployment.

TVET as a core theme across SERVE's programmes and partners

TVET is one of the thematic priorities main streamed throughout SERVE's work, particularly through the SERVE Development Programme (2012 - 2016) supported by Irish Aid.

South Africa

In South Africa, SERVE's partner Tsholofelo run a Community Skills Training Programme (funded almost entirely by the SERVE Development Programme (SDP).
Tsholofelo provide TVET and Adult Basic Education and Training (ABET) to people with no education or skills background. Classes are run from converted shipping containers in the squatter camps around Rustenburg in the North West Province.

This programme has increased the income of beneficiaries every year since 2012. In 2015, the average increase in monthly income was between 25 and 50%.

Johannah Lesame is the dressmaking teacher at Tsholofelo's Community Skills Training Centre in Freedom Park, South Africa

Mozambique
There is similar success among SERVE's partner Young Africa Mozambique which has increased the income of young people each year of the SDP. In 2014, the average income increase was 43% (results attributable to targeted SDP funding). Young Africa Mozambique is based on the outskirts of the city of Beira and since 2008 has provided TVET to young people at it's Manga campus and more recently, at the Agri Tech Centre in the rural location of Dondo.

Teacher Satume Domingo Joao with his class at the Department of Electronics in Beira, Mozambique

Zimbabwe
Young Africa has been delivering TVET to young people in Zimbabwe since 2002 using its integrated training model. At its main centre in Chitungwiza, Young Africa provides education, practical skills training and life skills training to over 400 people daily. At its satellite centre in Epworth, Young Africa provides courses varying from dressmaking, building and carpentry to computer applications, secretarial services and O-Level tuition.

Young Africa Zimbabwe's pilot Outreach Training Programme in Domboshava in 2014 (funded entirely by the SDP) was successful, with 170 graduates and an average income increase of 20%. In 2015 SERVE supported the rural Outreach Training Programme in Chipinge. This year, we will support training in Nyanga. Young Africa are responding to the needs of young people in these rural communities where there are little to no opportunities available to receive education and / or employment.

Otillia Bunjira and Vimbai Thatope are catering students at Young Africa's rural Outreach Programme in Domboshawa, Zimbabwe

TVET also remains a strong theme across our partners who are not in receipt of Irish Aid funding, including:

India
In India SERVE works with the Association of People with Disability (APD) who facilitate the needs of seriously disabled people, to recognise their potential and help rebuild their lives and integrate them into mainstream society. APD also run a vocational training unit - including IT, physiotherapy, orthotics, sewing and career guidance. APD focuses its work on skills training, education, employment and networking.

The Philippines
In the Philippines, acute economic disadvantage as a result of poverty is prevalent among the Badjao. The livelihood project supported by SERVE and the Redemptorists is concentrating livelihood efforts including vocational and skills training on boat making, bead accessory production, community gardens and commercial stalls market development. A market, in the form of an accessory manufacturer has agreed to purchase the bead products produced by the Badjao trades people. Accompanying the bead work skills training will be enterprise development training in product production, quality control, costing, basic book keeping and marketing. The Badjao hope to attract more people to the Tribal Area to foster and encourage economic activity, thus market stalls will be constructed whereby the Badjao can trade goods such as fish, fruits, vegetables, pearl accessories, bead accessories, including shoe clips, hair clips and bag accessories, weaved mats, boats and reflexology.

Namibia
In Namibia, SERVE works in partnership with Young Africa Namibia. Young Africa Namibia empowers young people between 15 and 25 years of age through skills training and income generating projects.The Young Africa Centre provides practical skills training in installation and maintenance of solar panels in combination with other solar technologies. As there was no existing practical skills training in solar technology, without any entry level requirements, Young Africa developed the course with support from local businesses and people experienced in solar technology. With a 60% unemployment rate among young people in Namibia, the Young Africa employable skills training courses were welcomed by young people. Read more about this project here.

SERVE Volunteers Contribution to TVET

Over the past number of years, SERVE volunteers have contributed to TVET both directly and indirectly.

In Mozambique, SERVE volunteers have played a key role at both of Young Africa's campuses. The building of three large fish tanks at Young Africa Agri-Tech's campus in Dondo means that a new department can be opened and made available to students. This commitment by SERVE volunteers is providing opportunities for students in Dondo to learn a new skill, therefore increasing their chances of gaining employment upon completion of their course. SERVE volunteers have also been involved with the upgrading of the Agri-Tech computer room, building of classrooms, teaching and sharing their skills with staff and students.

In South Africa, our volunteers have not only undertaken huge amounts of construction and renovation work on the skills training centres, but they have contributed to the training classes and have shared their own skills by facilitating their own workshops. In 2015, SERVE volunteer Bridie Denning facilitated a crochet workshop for some of Tsholofelo's women's groups in different squatter camps. These women are now equipped with new skills that they can use to their own benefit.

SERVE volunteers have also assisted in the classroom in the Philippines, sharing resources and lesson plans, building the capacity of teachers and students.

SERVE 2014 volunteers constructing fish tanks at Young Africa Agri-Tech's campus in Dondo, Mozambique

Thanks to the support of volunteers, supporters and donors like Irish Aid, young people we work with in South Africa, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Namibia, India and the Philippines have the opportunity to learn marketable skills, as well as learning essential life skills to encourage safer practice regarding their sexual health. This opportunity for young people from impoverished communities to learn a new skill and gain practical work experience is not just an impressive NGO-led programme, it is a life changing initiative of which the communities are the driving force.

Thank you for your continued support.

Yours in Solidarity,