Within the framework of its role as the highest national reference body for governing the Technical and Vocational Education and Training sector, formulating national policies regulating the sector, and strengthening strategic partnerships among its various stakeholders, and as the national umbrella bringing together governmental, private-sector, and civil society institutions working in the sector, a delegation from the National Commission for Technical and Vocational Education and Training paid a visit to the premises of the Lutheran World Federation. The visit aimed to discuss prospects for joint cooperation and to learn about leading experiences in the fields of vocational training, entrepreneurship, and youth empowerment.

The delegation was received by the Vocational Training Programme Manager at the Lutheran World Federation, Eng. Yousef Shalian, who briefed the delegation on the centre’s experience and specialized programmes in the areas of vocational training, promoting a culture of entrepreneurship, empowering youth, and linking training programmes with labour market needs and economic development requirements.

During the visit, a number of issues and areas of mutual interest were discussed, most notably:

• Exploring opportunities for cooperation and joint coordination between the two sides in areas related to technical and vocational education and training.
• Learning about the successful experiences and practices implemented by the Lutheran World Federation in the fields of vocational training and entrepreneurship.
• Strengthening the exchange of expertise and knowledge and benefiting from successful models that can be further developed and scaled up.
• Examining the possibility of transferring distinguished practices and disseminating them among technical and vocational education and training institutions in Palestine, in a manner that contributes to improving the quality of training services.
• Emphasizing the National Commission’s readiness to provide possible technical and institutional support that enhances joint efforts and contributes to achieving relevant development objectives.

Both sides stressed the importance of strengthening partnership and complementarity among national institutions working in the technical and vocational education and training sector, in a way that contributes to developing the skills of Palestinian youth, enhancing employment and entrepreneurship opportunities, and responding to the changing needs of the labour market.

This visit comes as part of the National Commission’s efforts to expand its network of strategic partnerships, strengthen cooperation with active local and international institutions, and support initiatives that contribute to empowering Palestinian youth and developing the technical and vocational education and training system in line with national development priorities.