Skip to content

IFIP Technical & Vocational Education and Training Forum

Very few practitioners working in skills development, employability, and workforce participation have the opportunity to contribute to international conversations shaping the future of these fields.

The TVET Forum has been created to provide that opportunity.

Apply for founding cohort At a glance Why the Forum exists
Founding cohort engagement begins through UNESCO-linked dialogue, international consultation, and global practitioner collaboration

The TVET Forum is an IFIP programme. UNESCO engagement is via IFIP partnerships; participation is subject to selection and event protocols — not a UNESCO membership programme.

International education and skills forum at UNESCO Headquarters

The Forum

About the Forum

Practitioner voice

The IFIP Technical and Vocational Education and Training Forum (TVET) brings together a carefully selected international community of practitioners, schools, institutions, employers, universities, workforce specialists, social enterprises, researchers, and system leaders working across skills development, employability, workforce participation, lifelong learning, and vocational education.

Founding cohort

The Forum exists to ensure that practitioner perspectives are represented within international discussions concerning skills, employment, workforce readiness, lifelong learning, and the future of work. For members of the founding cohort, the Forum will provide opportunities to participate in a year-round programme of international consultation, collaboration, publication, and knowledge exchange.

At a glance

Membership is selective. Applications are welcomed from schools, institutions, employers, and practitioners who wish to contribute seriously to international dialogue on skills and employability.

What

Global practitioner forum for skills development, employability, workforce participation, and lifelong learning

Time

Typically around 1–2 hours per month

Fellowship

IFIP Fellowship not required to apply

Membership year

1 August – 31 July

Governance

Governed by IFIP; practitioner-led international forum

Outputs

Consultations, international dialogues, publications, practitioner reports, and collaborative projects

UNESCO

UNESCO-linked opportunities through IFIP partnerships (subject to selection)

How to join

Apply online; selective founding cohort

Why it matters

Bridging policy and practice

Governments are investing heavily in workforce development. Universities are rethinking employability and student success. Schools are building transition and vocational pathways. Employers are seeking new skills and talent pipelines. International organisations are exploring technological change, demographic shifts, and economic transformation.

The TVET Forum has been established to help bridge that gap.

The Forum provides a space through which practitioners can engage with policymakers, researchers, employers, universities, workforce agencies, schools, and international organisations — not only to understand emerging developments but also to contribute to the conversations shaping them.

Founding Cohort Opportunities

The founding cohort will have access to a number of significant opportunities during the first year.

UNESCO Digital Learning Week

UNESCO Headquarters, Paris

IFIP has been invited to contribute practitioner perspectives within discussions taking place during UNESCO Digital Learning Week and associated activities — including workforce readiness, skills development, and employability. Members of the founding cohort may be considered for participation in relevant consultations and dialogues.

UNESCO Strategy Lab

UNESCO Headquarters, Paris

The Strategy Lab provides an opportunity for practitioners, institutions, employers, and international partners to contribute perspectives on emerging priorities and future directions. Participation opportunities are expected to be limited and subject to selection.

Annual Global Practitioner Report

A key output of the Forum will be the development of an annual international report capturing practitioner perspectives, implementation insights, case studies, emerging trends, and recommendations relating to skills development, employability, and workforce participation.

World Inclusion Congress

Members will have opportunities to contribute to TVET activities within the World Inclusion Congress and related international events.

The TVET Forum is an IFIP programme. UNESCO engagement is via IFIP partnerships; participation is subject to selection and event protocols — not a UNESCO membership programme.

Annual Programme of Engagement

The TVET Forum is designed as a year-round programme rather than a single event.

Members may be invited to participate in:

International dialogues
UNESCO-linked consultations
Practitioner roundtables
Employer and industry engagement
University and TVET collaboration
Skills and employability working groups
International publications and the Annual Practitioner Report
World Inclusion Congress activities
Specialist consultations on workforce participation and lifelong learning

The programme will continue to evolve in response to emerging opportunities and priorities.

Who Should Apply?

Applications are welcomed from:

Schools and school groups Universities and university centres Colleges and vocational institutions Employability and careers services Employers and industry partners Workforce development organisations Social enterprises Government and skills authorities Professional and national associations TVET and apprenticeship providers Disability support and student success teams Researchers and practitioners Youth and lived-experience networks

Applicants should have a genuine interest in skills development, employability, workforce participation, lifelong learning, inclusion, and international collaboration.

Most importantly, applicants should be willing to contribute as well as benefit.

The Forum has been established as a community of practice, not a passive membership programme.

Apply for founding cohort Membership fees and benefits Download handbook