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CASE STUDY

Reshaping the Perception of TVET: A Government-Level Strategic Engagement

MORIM Institutional Transformation Academic Strategy

The Challenge: A second-choice Pathway

In many African countries, Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) suffers from a deep-rooted perception problem. It is often viewed as a "second-choice" pathway, reserved for students who have failed the academic track. This perception is compounded by:

Outdated curricula disconnected from labor market realities;
Weak linkages between training institutions and the productive sector;
Limited institutional capacity to design and deliver competency-based programmes;
Insufficient policy frameworks to support quality assurance, accreditation, and recognition of prior learning.

For governments, the challenge is not just technical—it is political, social, and strategic. Transforming TVET requires not only curriculum reform but also a fundamental shift in how societies value technical skills and how policies incentivise quality, relevance, and employability.

The Strategic Decision: Developing a useful labour force

MORIM was approached to reposition the TVET system as a driver of economic competitiveness and youth employment. The objective was twofold:

Reshape the perception of TVET among families, young people, and employers;
Propose and co-construct policies to future-proof the system, aligned with international standards and national development priorities.

MORIM's intervention was structured as a multi-phase strategic engagement, combining diagnostic, policy design, institutional strengthening, and pilot implementation.

Phase 1: Diagnostic & Strategic Options

MORIM conducted a rapid but rigorous diagnostic of the TVET ecosystem, covering:

Governance and institutional architecture;
Curriculum design and pedagogical approaches;
Industry linkages and apprenticeship models;
Financing mechanisms and sustainability;
Perception and attractiveness among youth and families.

Key findings included:

Misalignment between training supply and labor market demand;
Weak quality assurance mechanisms;
Limited involvement of the private sector in curriculum design and delivery;
Low social prestige of technical pathways.

Based on this diagnostic, MORIM presented a set of strategic options organized around three pillars:

Pillar 1 – Governance & Institutional Strengthening
Clarifying roles, responsibilities, and accountability mechanisms across ministries, agencies, and training institutions.
Pillar 2 – Pedagogy & Curriculum Reform
Introducing competency-based approaches (inspired by international standards such as NVQ), work-based learning, and real-world projects.
Pillar 3 – Perception & Attractiveness
Designing a national communication and engagement strategy to reposition TVET as a pathway to entrepreneurship, decent work, and social mobility.

Phase 2: Policy Co-Construction & Stakeholder Engagement

MORIM facilitated a multi-stakeholder policy dialogue involving:

Line ministries (education, employment, industry);
National TVET agencies;
Employers' associations and trade unions;
Training providers (public and private);
Youth representatives and civil society.

Through a series of workshops, technical working groups, and validation sessions, MORIM supported the co-construction of:

A National TVET Policy Framework (2026–2035);
A Quality Assurance Roadmap for competency-based assessment and certification;
A Public-Private Partnership Model for curriculum development and work-based learning;
A Communication Strategy to promote TVET as a prestigious and rewarding career path.

Phase 3: Pilot Implementation & Learning

To test the proposed reforms in a real-world setting, MORIM supported the design and deployment of a pilot programme in selected training institutions. The pilot focused on:

Institutional capacity building for teachers and managers;
Curriculum redesign around real-world projects and industry partnerships;
Student-centered assessment based on demonstrated competencies;
Industry engagement for work placements, mentoring, and project sponsorship.

Results & Impact

While the full impact of the reforms will unfold over several years, early indicators are promising:

Increased enrolment in pilot programmes, with improved gender balance;
Enhanced employer satisfaction with the skills of pilot graduates;
Strong political ownership of the policy framework, with budget commitments for scaling;
Shifts in public perception, reflected in media coverage and social discourse positioning TVET as a pathway to opportunity.

Key Success Factors

Political will and high-level ownership – The government championed the reform from the outset, ensuring alignment with national development goals.
Multi-stakeholder engagement – MORIM's inclusive approach built trust and consensus across diverse actors.
Evidence-based policy design – Diagnostic data and international benchmarks informed every step of the process.
Pilot-first approach – Testing reforms in real settings generated tangible results and built confidence for scaling.
Perception as a strategic lever – MORIM addressed the "soft" dimension of reform—communication, branding, and social value—alongside technical and institutional changes.

Lessons for African Countries

TVET transformation in Africa requires more than curriculum revision or infrastructure investment. It demands:

A systemic approach that addresses governance, pedagogy, financing, and perception in an integrated manner;
Long-term political commitment that transcends electoral cycles;
Private sector engagement as co-constructors, not just beneficiaries;
Measurement of outcomes, not just inputs—tracking employability, entrepreneurship, and social mobility.

YOUR TURN

Ready to Transform Technical and Vocational Education?

Today's economies need skilled, adaptable and entrepreneurial professionals. Yet many TVET systems continue to face challenges in perception, quality, industry alignment and graduate employability.

MORIM partners with governments, TVET institutions, employers and development organisations to modernise technical and vocational education through strategic reform, curriculum innovation, workforce development, industry partnerships and leadership capacity building.

Whether your ambition is to strengthen an existing institution, develop new centres of excellence or align skills training with national economic priorities, we can help you build a TVET system that prepares learners for the jobs of today and the opportunities of tomorrow.

SPEAK WITH OUR TEAM TODAY

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