In a matter of weeks, coronavirus (COVID-19) has changed the world of employment and the sphere of learning and development. It has challenged individuals, education and training providers, employers and workers to adapt to online modalities in all spheres of life.

UNDP in Armenia, in the framework of joint UNDP-UNICEF “Strengthening Stability and Resilience of the Bordering Communities in Vayots Dzor, Gegharkunik and Syunik Regions” project (Phase 3), funded by the UK Conflict Stability and Security Fund (CSSF), keeps addressing challenges of online vocational education and training (VET) system based on the results of the first online training course delivered to 480 VET faculty during the project 2nd phase back in February.

The feedback provided by the training participants shaped the curricula of the second on-line training that commenced on 13 December and aimed at enhancement of knowledge and skills in the field of online teaching, IT applications, online resources for 500 TVET faculty and management staff representing 16 TVET institutions from project target regions. The training program was enriched with sessions on compound crises management with focus on gender aspects.

Resilient thinking, Microsoft Office, work in search platforms, data protection and security, crisis management and management of distance learning are among main topics to be addressed by the training curricula, which is being delivering by the National Network of Distance Education NGO for managers and teachers of TVET institutions located in 3 regions of Armenia.

The online training course “Bridging Gap-Development of Digital and Crisis Management Skills for TVETIs Personnel” aims to assist TVET teachers and management staff, who are currently delivering online classes, to get acquainted with modern education technologies, to master themselves in MS office applications for beginners as well as intermediate users to raise the quality of learning materials and to make online classes more interactive and appealing for VET students.

The training aims to assist teachers of VETIs to incorporate ICT into their courses, move towards a blended learning model, which integrates online digital resources with classroom teaching. The 72-hour course is designed to be delivered over 3-4 weeks, with participants needing several hours per week to participate in the course distance coaching as well as to develop their own online course content.

Digitally skilled teachers supported by the UNDP intervention are seen as the guarantee for accessible and quality vocational education and training. Better and quality vocational education and training will support bordering communities to increase resilience in the period of crises and post-crisis recovery.

UNDP with financial support of UK Government, consolidates efforts towards improved quality of TVET system and contributes to the development of competitive and more employable labor force across Vayots Dzor, Gegharkunik and Syunik regions. Moreover, the online training program can be replicated in TVET institutions located across other regions of the country.