Applying the G20 Training Strategy in Jordan (Phase 2)
Strengthening Technical and Vocational Institutions through Gaming Technology
Amman, Jordan –A two-day online training on the management of technical and vocational education and training (TVET) institutes using Moscow School of Management (SKOLKOVO) & the ILO's digital simulation tool, took place on the 12th and 13th of December. The training uses gaming technology to simulate the strategic and operational decisions made by TVET managers daily. The training was held online in response to restrictions due to Covid-19 pandemic, and that in essence, emphasises on the need for more digitised TVET provision for building a modern and responsive educational environment.
In the framework of this training, the close partnership between the ILO and SKOLKOVO falls under the umbrella of the Russian-funded “Applying the G20 Training Strategy” project. The computer simulator tool for TVET management, upon which the training was based, intends to shape real-life and dynamic scenarios for managers of TVET institutions and supervisory boards' representatives. TVET managers, assistant managers, and practitioners from several public and private training institutes in Jordan participated in this innovative training workshop.
Four qualified Jordanian moderators trained as Master users of the tool by SKOLKOVO led the training. At the same time, the game developers monitored the sessions from technical and advisory perspectives. The training entailed working in groups and team discussions through a ''gaming'' approach, making the sessions interactive and filled with competition.
During the game, the players assumed the role of a manager of the virtual training institute and had to respond to hypothetical situations and make decisions for their organization's benefit. Participants were also asked to analyse their institution's internal and external environment, educational programmes, material efficiency, and technical base, as well as the demand in the market of vocational education in Jordan. Each group then had to make quick managerial decisions to enhance the functioning of their organizations to become market leaders. Through this training, participants are now able to apply technology and digital tools that support mechanisms and training programmes for modern labour market demands that respond to socio-economic developments and innovation.
“It is such an interesting game! It shows me a helicopter view of my institution from both the strategic and operational perspectives. If utilized properly, it would be a very useful tool for us to forecast how the decisions we make can influence our training facility to improve our performance”.
- Ms. Suhair Barghouti, TVET Management Simulator - Master Trainer
This type of training is fully aligned with the 2030 agenda for Sustainable Development Goals and, in particular, SDG8, which refers to achieving higher levels of economic productivity through diversification, technological upgrading, and innovation, through a focus on high-value added and labour-intensive sectors. These goals kick-started a global movement that inspired countries to invest in their future generations.
The simulator, which was successfully applied in several countries, including Armenia, Italy, Kyrgyzstan, and Vietnam, is available in several languages, including English, Spanish, Russian, Portuguese, and others, to cater to diverse audiences from various backgrounds. In 2019, the ILO translated the tool to the Arabic language and contextualized it to Jordan, in collaboration with the European Bank for Reconstruction & Development (EBRD).
The ILO & SKOLKOVO are now looking to mainstream this computer simulator as a systematic training of TVET institution managers in the region. If used effectively, it will contribute to the overall improvement of TVET performance in the Kingdom and the effective management of training organizations.