TVET UK’s strengthening relationship with Turkmenistan grew from a conversation with the British Ambassador, Keith Allen HMA Turkmenistan, who thought that trade links between the two countries could be significantly strengthened and increased. TVET UK followed up on this lead and has now established itself within Turkmenistan and has identified a number of opportunities, which members are currently pursuing.

We also successfully bid, in partnership with consulting organisations in Austria and UK, for an EU funded project to reform the national vocational education system. TVET UK’s role in the bid was to supply experts, short term, and host study tours for a number of high level government officials and institutions to enable them to gain an understanding of the UK VET system. The delegation, which included representatives from the Ministries of Education, Agriculture and State Tourism, visited the UK in February 2012.

The delegation was fully supported by TVET UK members and other VET organisations such as the National Apprenticeship Service, who offered to host visits and give presentations. These included Reading College, Guildford College, Cambridge Regional College and Sussex Coast College. The delegates were particularly interested in models of governance and leadership and training for the equine, agricultural and tourism industries.

As well as having the opportunity to showcase the quality of their facilities and provision, the colleges were also able network and establish relationships with leading decision makers in government and industry.

Matthew Anderson, Executive Director TVET UK says: ‘Hosting study tours is a great way for clients to experience the UK system in operation and visit some of the best colleges in the world. These visits are a source of inspiration and of future partnerships.’