Positioning Technical and Vocational Education and Training for Sustainable Development in Africa Taking Cue from the Chinese Model

The general consensus among countries globally is that TVET plays significant role in economic development, but the increased awareness notwithstanding, provision of TVET in African countries is hampered by diverse constraints as many countries on the continent have not been able to make quality provisions for TVET at a level that can support quality training. The continent faces the enormous challenge of providing stable and sustained socio-economic development that will provide room to lift the young population out of poverty induced by unemployment and protect the continent from poverty-triggered insecurity. The development of Africa has been hinged on quality investment in human capital development in the face of the changing dynamics in the world of work and the future of jobs. In order to achieve this, it is imperative for African countries to adopt different approach to the delivery of TVET on the continent. The Chinese experience in delivery of TVET, built on sound policy framework, effective funding system coupled with rural development-driven TVET provision, robust TVET institution and enterprises linkage as well as consistent teacher training programme, provide a viable example for emulation in the design and implementation of effective TVET delivery that will guarantee sustainable development on the continent. Key Word: TVET, Development, Africa, China DOI: 10.7176/JAAS/56-09 Publication date:July 31st 201