A delegation from the National TVET Commission, led by Dr. Ziad Jweiles, President of the Commission, and representatives from the private sector, began a study tour to Austria. The delegation included: Mr. Robin Al-Joulani, President of the Federation of Engineering and Metal Industries representing the private sector, and Dr. Musa Arfa'ia, Dean of the Faculty of Dual Studies at Palestine Polytechnic University. Eng. Mohammad Mu'min Jawadah from the Commission's staff, and Eng. Wolfgang SchmIidt, the resident expert from the German Cooperation Agency GIZ at the Commission. The Palestinian delegation was received by a representative from the Vocational Education and Training Department at the Ministry of Education, Science, and Research. The first stop of the study tour was a meeting with Mr. Newbauer, the Deputy Minister for Vocational Education and Training Affairs. Dr. Jweiles thanked the Austrian ministry officials for hosting the Palestinian delegation. Dr. Jweiles emphasized that this tour marks the beginning of cooperation between the Commission and the Ministry of Education, Science, and Research in areas that serve the vocational and technical education and training sector in Palestine. The two parties discussed topics related to the current vocational education and training system in Austria. The delegation also learned about the accreditation mechanisms of institutions and programs in technical engineering colleges, as well as the reality of dual education and the challenges facing its implementation in Austria. It is worth noting that the visit, which was carried out at the invitation of the Austrian government, will last for several days.

During the meeting of the National TVET Commission with partners Jweiles: Committed to improving the vocational and technical education and training system Ramallah: 8/6/2023 Dr. Ziad Jweiles, President of the National TVET Commission, affirmed that the Commission is determined to succeed with the support of the government and donors, to achieve its goals of enhancing the vocational and technical education and training system in Palestine, and increasing the number of enrollees in it, whether in secondary or higher education. This came during the first meeting of the thematic working groups (strategic priorities for the vocational and technical education and training sector, and sectoral skills councils), as this meeting is part of a series of meetings that will be organized. In his opening speech, Dr. Jweiles emphasized the importance of the meeting, which focuses on discussing specialized and focused topics that delve into the details and components of the work system. He considered this meeting an important part of strengthening the institutional work and supporting and empowering the Commission to fulfill its entrusted role in improving and sustainably developing the sector. Dr. Jweiles stressed that the establishment of the Commission came to be the national policy, regulatory, and oversight reference for the sector, and to enhance the quality of its outputs, and to build an integrated vocational and technical education and training system characterized by efficiency, effectiveness, and flexibility. Dr. Jweiles commended the role of all partners in supporting the vocational and technical education and training system, and welcomed all attendees representing official institutions, civil society organizations, and donors. On his part, Eng. Hamadallah Saber from the Commission discussed the thematic working group on strategic priorities for the vocational and technical education and training sector, and presented innovative ideas on topics related to renewable energy, continuous vocational education and training, and greening vocational and technical education and training. Everyone agreed on the necessity of conducting a national study to determine the priorities in skills related to renewable energy. Dr. Emad Salem, from the Commission, discussed with the working group related to sectoral skills councils, and reviewed the importance of forming these councils and their role in enhancing partnership with the private sector, as well as with educational and training service providers. The groundbreaking experience currently being implemented in cooperation with the German agency and the German Cooperation Foundation (GIZ) was reviewed, and everyone agreed to proceed with implementing this initiative and drawing lessons and results from it. Dr. Lily Feidy, the President's Advisor for International Relations from the Commission, emphasized the need to complete the work of the two working groups for technical meetings, and to develop an action plan and recommendations for implementation.

The National TVET Commission held the first meeting of the National Team for Human Resource Development in the Education and Training Sector, where the Commission seeks to establish a unified national system for human resource development. The program aims to set professional standards for workers in the sector in institutions and companies and to identify the initial qualifications required for workers in the sector. Through human resource development, the Commission aims to crystallize, develop, and establish a training institute for trainers working in the sector, including teachers, trainers, counselors, managers, deputy managers, and professional supervisors. The National Team comprises: the National TVET Commission, the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Labor, Nablus University for Vocational and Technical Education and Training, the Federation of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, and Agriculture, the Palestinian Trainers Association, the German Cooperation GIZ, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization UNESCO, and the Belgian Agency for Development Enable. Mr. Hamadallah Saber welcomed the participating members of the team and conveyed the greetings of His Excellency the President of the Commission, Dr. Ziad Jweiles. He spoke about the prominent role that the Commission currently plays in supporting the development and standardization of the basic components in the vocational and technical education and training sector, in partnership with its technical and social partners in both the public and private sectors. The first meeting was dedicated to discussing the role of consultant Mr. Luay Qabajeh, who was contracted through GIZ to review all the documents previously worked on, particularly, and update them to align with the current stage's needs, taking into account the changing and required needs of the labor market, for discussion and adoption by the working team and the national Commission.