The three-day workshop on Strategic Management of VET Institutions, held in Yerevan from October 14 to 16, 2024, brought together key stakeholders from the Armenian VET sector, including institutional leaders, policymakers, and experts. Over 70 directors and deputy directors of VET institutions attended in person, and over 100 leaders joined the workshop online. 

The workshop aimed to equip participants with modern strategic management techniques, focusing on environmental analysis, vision-setting, and effective strategy execution. The program was organized with the support of UNDP “Youth Employment” project, in collaboration with the Ministry of Education, Science, Culture, and Sport (MESCS), and led by Pavel Luksha, a global expert on education futures.

Before the main program on October 14-16, an interactive online workshop was held on October 3, 2024, to introduce participants to the upcoming three-day event. The session provided an overview of the strategic challenges and opportunities for Armenia's VET sector, emphasizing the critical role vocational education plays in building a competitive economy. Participants were guided through key themes such as Armenia's economic constraints, and explored how human capital development can drive sustainable growth in the 21st century.

The Strategic Management of TVET Institutions three-day workshop provided Armenian vocational education leaders with essential tools for strategic planning, while also fostering a space for collaborative problem-solving. Participants actively engaged with strategic tools like PESTLE and SWOT analysis, as well as visioning exercises, which facilitated the identification of both current challenges and future growth opportunities in a landscape shaped by rapid technological advancements. The interactive format allowed for meaningful exchanges, enabling participants to recognize the urgency of addressing issues like funding, outdated methods, and employer collaboration, while also preparing for the impact of automation and AI.

A key outcome was the recognition of the need for ongoing stakeholder engagement, particularly involving students and employers more directly in the strategic process. To sustain the workshop's momentum, participants suggested the establishment of regular forums or a professional club to discuss strategic priorities, alongside facilitated employer dialogues to ensure training programs align with labor market needs. Additionally, longer-term initiatives were recommended, such as in-depth workshops on EdTech, resource planning, and adaptive strategy execution, which would support continuous professional development and enable leaders to carry forward their strategic plans.

Moving forward, Karine Simonyan, UNDP “Youth Employment” Project Manager in the concluding remarks stated that UNDP Armenia continues to support the MESCS in structured dialogue and capacity-building efforts within the sector. This includes creating platforms for regular strategy sessions, providing resources for collaboration programs, and fostering a culture of lifelong learning for educators. By taking these action steps, Armenian VET institutions can not only address existing constraints but also proactively prepare for the challenges of 2030 and beyond, ensuring a sustainable and innovative future for vocational education.

The "Unleashing Employment and Income Generating Opportunities for Youth in the Regions of Armenia" project is implemented by UNDP in Armenia. The project aims at supporting the fulfillment of the youth’s potential and well-being in the regions of Armenia through improved education opportunities, facilitated labor market transition, and entrepreneurship.