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Innovation in TVET



Dr. Engr. Md. Sakawat Ali

E-mail: sakawat_ali@yahoo.com

Innovation is a process of improving a product service from its current state. Innovation is thinking outside the box. First innovation is to change our mindset. Innovation is not limited to the size of business or the business venture you are dealing with. Hence, innovation is open for everyone in business. Innovation adds value to the services or goods that you provide and so you should seek to be innovative in your business.

 Innovation refers to the introduction of a new good or a new quality of a good, method of production, market, source of supply, and/or organization in an industry. It also refers to improving on an existing concept or idea using a step-wise process to create a commercially viable product. Innovation makes service easier.

Innovation is stereotypically viewed to be the wheelhouse of small and start-up companies since they tend to be very dynamic, but as we shall see, it is also a vital and viable aspect in big institutions or companies.

The most fulfilling thing about an innovation is being able to actualize an idea into a successful concept. To do this, you need to go through a long and complex process. For you to succeed you must understand the process well and must have the support needed; this is what differentiates a successful innovation process from an unsuccessful innovation process.

What is the Importance of Innovation?

Solving problems: Most ideas are actually derived from attempts to solve existing problems. As such, when you encourage innovation, you are opening doors for solutions to problems both within and outside your company. If your business provides services, you might realize that your customer do not have an avenue to share their opinions, complaints, and compliments. The only avenue available could be the physical office. So, to solve the problem, you could decide to operate a virtual office where customers’ needs can be attended to within a short time. The customers will be happy and as a result, your sales will go higher.

Adapting to change: This is especially evident in the technological world where there are rapid changes defining the business. Change is inevitable and innovation is the method to not only keep your business afloat, but also ensure that it remains relevant and profitable. With the rise in mobile phones, traditional telephone had to find ways to remain relevant. Same case with your business, when you develop an innovation culture, you remain relevant at all times.

Maximizing on globalization: With markets all over the world becoming more interlinked, greater opportunities are emerging in these new markets and with that, new needs and challenges. For instance, China and India are estimated to be the leading markets, and Africa is predicted to be the next “hot spot”. Therefore, if your company hopes to tap into this market share, innovation is a must to enable you to capitalize on the opportunities opening up.

Facing up the competition: The corporate world is always very competitive, and with many new companies coming up, the top position in the industry is no longer a reserve of a few. To retain or establish your company’s cutting edge, you can compete strategically by having a dynamic business that is able to make strategic and innovative moves and thus cut above the rest.

Evolving workplace dynamics: The demographics in the work place are constantly changing. With the new generation that has entered the market place; new trends are also coming up. Innovation is therefore critical to ensure the smooth running of the company.

Customers’ changing tastes and preferences: The current customer has a great variety of products and services available to him and is well informed of his choices than before. The company must therefore keep itself abreast with these evolving tastes and also forge new ways of satisfying the customer.

Innovation in TVET Sector:

Innovation is everywhere, it is a thing of nature. TVET institutions source of world class workforce. So innovation in TVET is urgent in this globalized world.

Traditional TVET

Innovative TVET

1. Academics define skills to be learned

1. Industry define skills to be learned

2. Pre-employment training

2. Lifelong learning

3. Full time study, usually during the day

3. Learner chooses hours of study

4. Set length of time

4. Timeframe varies based on learners competence

5. One size fits all

5. Personalized

6. Institution and classroom based

6. Industry, community and learner’s place based

7. Institution based equipment

7. Multimedia and industry or community based equipment

8. Develop practical skills in artificial settings

8. Develop practical skills in real life  settings

9. Non-practical skills focus on listening, reading and writing to understand theory

9. Non-practical skills include building employment skills such as team work and application of theory

10. Assessment focuses on knowing what and how

10. Assessment beyond knowing – doing, being, applying

11. Achievement based assessment, one attempt

11. Competency based assessment, multiple attempts

12. Educator as “Sage on the stage”

12. Educator as “Guide by the side”

13. Literacy as a proxy for competence

13. Naturally occurring and multimedia evidence

14. Small number of defined qualifications

14. Exit qualifications, micro credentials

15. Limited consideration of sustainable development

15. Sustainable development integrated

16. No, or limited, consideration of gender quality

16. Gender quality integrated

17. No, or limited use of ICT

17. Use of ICT to help achieve the above

Area of Innovation in TVET

Skills, Knowledge and innovations are important driving forces of economic growth and social development in any country. Development of a country depends on its skills and innovative manpower.

Area of innovation in TVET may be as follows:

  1. Innovation in teaching learning in TVET
  2. Private sector innovation in TVET
  3. Innovation in TVET in public sector
  4. Implementation of digital technology in TVET
  5. Introduction of green culture in TVET
  6. Enhancing social image of TVET

21st Century Innovative workforce Skills in TVET:

The following list provides a brief, illustrative overview of the knowledge, skills, work habits, and character traits commonly associated with 21st century skills:

  1. Critical thinking
  2. Problem solving
  3. Reasoning
  4. Interpretation
  5. Conceptual synthesis
  6. Research skills and practices, interrogative questioning
  7. Creativity
  8. Artistry
  9. Curiosity & imagination
  10. Innovation
  11. Planning, self-discipline, adaptability
  12.  Initiative
  13. Leadership
  14. Teamwork
  15. Collaboration
  16. Information and communication technology (ICT) literacy
  17. Media and internet literacy
  18. Global & multicultural literacy, humanitarianism
  19. Scientific literacy, technical reasoning, using the scientific method
  20. Environmental and conservation literacy, ecosystems understanding
  21. Health and wellness literacy

 

 

Key Words: Innovation