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Empowering students through skills

What makes GVET different is it combines general education and vocational education to form a hybrid, a blending of cognitive and behavioural aspects of education.

As we enter a new era of education, my studies over the past five years have generated a new concept for the future of education. I first launched my concept during my keynote speech at BETT Middle East 2018 in Abu Dhabi and further elaborated during the 2020 Unesco-Unevoc Network Consolidation seminar for the Mena Region. My idea of General Vocational Education and Training (GVET) was welcomed and very well support by education experts from around the world.

What makes GVET different is it combines general education and vocational education to form a hybrid, a blending of cognitive and behavioural aspects of education. It’s important that students in the UAE attain the highest possible standard of education. GVET students have an expectation of performing to national standard in the general educational subjects, in fact the same standard as all other students. However, GVET students have the advantage of undertaking a National Qualification in a vocational skill cluster that combines critical thinking and agile problem solving for work in technological environments. Such an approach future proofs student skills.

The introduction of technology has created a rapidly changing workforce that requires agile integration of academic and vocational education into a single transformed system. Separating the academic and vocational education studies is no longer an option. It is more important to provide students with transferable, employable and entrepreneurial skills. Thus, providing early opportunities in students future career paths. Whether those career options are suitable and practical will develop in students but will not prevent them from pursuing academic pathways in the future with possible progression up to Doctoral level. Starting at high school, from Grade 9 (although in some schools Grade 6) onward, GVET offers choice and flexibility. GVET Grade 12 students having graduated from a combination programme, holding a Grade 12 High School Diploma and National Qualification at Level 4 in a skill cluster, can progress to the Applied Bachelor or if certain prerequisite is met, to a bachelor’s degree. Further, GVET Grade 12 High School Diploma graduates from the Advanced Science Programme (ASP) can progress to a bachelor’s degree or an Applied bachelor’s degree with advanced standing, a distinct advantage for GVET students. Such flexibility allows the GVET students to meet their career aspirations sooner.

Not only is general education and vocational education embraced, but there is also close cooperation with industry. Students from Grade 10 onwards are able to experience two weeks work placement and for Grade 12 students up to one term. By exposing students to industrial environments helps students to experience the chosen career path allowing them to apply and scaffold their skills in preparation for their future. As a result of this experience, students have a clearer vision of their chosen career and the career choices they need to make.

GVET is a well-balanced, rounded programme that offers all the elements of education required for a future, developing, technologically adept workforce. It is important that the youth of the nation, the future of our country, be actively striving to be competent and skilled to honour our fore fathers and contribute to the economic success of our nation.

Dr Mubarak Al Shamsi is Director-General, Abu Dhabi Centre for Technical and Vocational Education and Training