Convention on Technical and Vocational Education - United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)

Convention on Technical and Vocational Education,1989, articles 2 (3-4); 3 (1-2)

ARTICLE 2

3. The Contracting States shall guarantee that no individual who has attained the educational level for admission into technical and vocational education shall be discriminated against on grounds of race, colour, sex, language, religion, national or social origin, political or other opinions, economic status, birth, or on any other grounds. The Contracting States shall work towards the right to equal access to technical and vocational education and towards equality of opportunity to study throughout the educational process.

4. The Contracting States shall pay attention to the special needs of the handicapped and other disadvantaged groups and take appropriate measures to enable these groups to benefit from technical and vocational education.

ARTICLE 3

1. The Contracting States agree to provide and develop technical and vocational education programmes that take account of:

1. the educational, cultural and social background of the population concerned and its vocational aspirations;
2. the technical and professional skills, knowledge and levels of qualification needed in the various sectors of the economy, and the technological and structural changes to be expected;
3. employment opportunities and development prospects at the national, regional and local levels;
4. protection of the environment and the common heritage of mankind;
5. occupational health, safety and welfare.

2. Technical and vocational education should be designed to operate within a framework of open-ended and flexible structures in the context of lifelong education and provide:

1. an introduction to technology and to the world of work for all young people within the context of general education;
2. educational and vocational guidance and information, and aptitude counselling;
3. development of an education designed for the acquisition and development of the knowledge and know-how needed for a skilled occupation;
4. a basis for education and training that may be essential for occupational mobility, improvement of professional qualifications and updating of knowledge, skills and understanding;
5. complementary general education for those receiving initial technical and vocational training in the form of on-the-job or other training both inside and outside technical and vocational education institutions;
6. continuing education and training courses for adults with a view, in particular, to retraining as well as to supplementing and upgrading the qualifications of those whose current knowledge has become obsolete because of scientific and technological progress or changes in the employment structure or in the social and economic situation, and also for those in special circumstances.