UNESCO-UNEVOC TVET Leadership Programme (TLP) 2026 for Mid- to Senior-Level TVET Leaders

Applications are now open for the 2026 UNESCO-UNEVOC Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Leadership Programme (TLP), a flagship global initiative that strengthens the leadership capacity of mid- to senior-level TVET professionals.

The 2026 edition is delivered under the initiative “Towards a Global TVET Agenda”, funded by the German Federal Ministry for Education, Family Affairs, Older Citizens, Women and Youth (BMBFSFJ) through the German Federal Institute for Vocational Education and Training (BIBB). The programme supports global cooperation, policy learning, and institutional capacity development in TVET systems worldwide.

Programme Theme: Leading Systems Change in TVET

The 2026 TLP focuses on equipping leaders to drive institutional and systems-level transformation in TVET. Through a blended learning approach, the programme aims to:

• Support the translation of policy into practice through the development and implementation of institutional action plans
• Strengthen leadership capacity across four core dimensions of effective TVET leadership:
  • Vision for change
  • Knowledge for change
  • Skills for change
  • Action for change
• Enhance the relevance, inclusiveness, and sustainability of TVET institutions, with emphasis on:
  • Digital transformation
  • Greening TVET
  • Equity-oriented practices
• Activate and expand the UNEVOC TVET leadership community of practice, promoting peer learning and cross-regional collaboration

Who Should Apply?

The programme targets mid- to senior-level TVET professionals committed to becoming change agents within their institutions or systems. Suitable roles include professionals involved in:

• Leadership and management of TVET, skills, or employment systems and institutions
• Policy design, framing, or implementation
• Monitoring, evaluation, and quality assurance
• Partnership development and stakeholder engagement

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must:

• Demonstrate interest and capacity to drive change in TVET, skills development, or employment systems
• Have a minimum of 5 years’ professional experience in TVET or related sectors
• Be proficient in written and spoken English
• Commit to active participation, including developing an institutional action plan for change
• Have institutional support to participate and implement follow-up actions

Institutional Commitment

As the programme focuses on systems change, shortlisted candidates may be required to provide formal confirmation of institutional endorsement.

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What Participants Will Gain

Participants in the TLP will:

• Strengthen strategic, people-centred, collaborative, and adaptive leadership competencies
• Develop a results-oriented action plan for institutional or systems-level change
• Gain exposure to global TVET agendas and international good practices
• Join a global network of TVET leaders for ongoing learning and collaboration
• Receive a Certificate of Completion from UNESCO-UNEVOC

Financial Arrangements

• No participation fees are charged
• Limited financial support may be available for the in-person component, subject to selection criteria and funding availability
• Applicants will indicate sponsorship needs during the application process
• Financial need does not automatically disqualify applicants

Application Process

Interested candidates must submit an application via the online application form only.

Important notes:

• The application takes approximately 60 minutes to complete
• It must be submitted in one session (responses cannot be saved and resumed)
• Applicants are advised to download and review the PDF version in advance

Key Dates

• Application Deadline: March 2, 2026
• Notification Period: April 2026
• Programme Duration: May – November 2026
• In-Person Training: June 22 – July 1, 2026
• Delivery Mode: Blended (online and in person)

UNESCO-UNEVOC is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion. Women and candidates from underrepresented, conflict-affected, or resource-constrained contexts are strongly encouraged to apply.

Please note that participation is competitive, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

You can send enquiries to unevoc.leadership@unesco.org.

Apply to the UNESCO-UNEVOC TVET Leadership Programme