ASEAN TVET Council advances inclusive skills development for rural and regional communities

MELAKA, 12 June 2025 -The 4th Regional Policy Dialogue of ASEAN TVET Council on "TVET for Rural and Regional Advancement" was successfully convened on 11-12 June 2025 in Melaka, Malaysia. The Dialogue brought together approximately 220 participants both onsite and online from ASEAN Member States and partner organisations, representing ministries of labour, education, and economic planning, TVET institutions, industry leaders, and international development partners.

Hosted by the Ministry of Rural and Regional Development of Malaysia with the support of the ASEAN Secretariat, Aus4ASEAN Digital Transformation and Future Skills Initiative (funded by the Government of Australia), and RECOTwin (funded by the Government of Germany), and the Dialogue provided a platform for participants to exchange strategies and good practices on how TVET can serve as a driver of inclusive, sustainable growth in rural and regional communities across ASEAN.

Key discussions focused on expanding access to TVET, fostering technopreneurship, promoting green and digital skills, and aligning curricula with the demands of high-growth, high-value sectors. The Dialogue concluded with actionable insights and recommendations to guide ASEAN's collective efforts toward enhancing employability, productivity, and socio-economic resilience through skills development.

During the Dialogue, the Study Report on the Promotion of Business Engagement Models for Upskilling and Reskilling of the ASEAN Workforce was launched on 12 June 2025. Coordinated by the ASEAN Secretariat under the guidance of ASEAN Senior Labour Officials Meeting (SLOM) and with the support of the Aus4ASEAN Digital Transformation and Future Skills Initiative, the Study explores how ASEAN businesses are adapting to rapid changes in technology, Industry 4.0, and the green economy by investing in workforce upskilling and reskilling. It emphasises the importance of inclusive training and stronger engagement between governments, businesses, and TVET institutes. Find out more about the Study here.