UNESCO-UNEVOC TVET Leadership Programme 2026: Global Systems Change Training for Mid- and Senior-Level TVET Leaders

The UNESCO-UNEVOC TVET Leadership Programme (TLP) 2026 is now open for applications. This flagship global leadership programme is designed to strengthen the capacity of mid- to senior-level Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) leaders to drive institutional and systems-level transformation.

The 2026 edition forms part of the initiative “Towards a Global TVET Agenda,” funded by the German Federal Ministry for Education, Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth (BMBFSFJ) through the German Federal Institute for Vocational Education and Training (BIBB). The programme aims to enhance global cooperation, policy learning, and leadership development in TVET systems worldwide.

Programme Theme: Leading Systems Change in TVET

The 2026 theme, “Leading systems change in TVET,” focuses on equipping leaders with the vision, knowledge, skills, and action strategies needed to transform institutions and skills systems.

The programme seeks to:

• Strengthen leadership capacity at the institutional level

• Enhance relevance, inclusiveness, and sustainability in TVET systems

• Promote digital transformation and greening TVET practices

• Advance equity-oriented approaches in vocational education

• Translate policy into practice through institutional action plans

• Expand the global UNEVOC TVET leadership community of practice

Programme Structure and Delivery

The TVET Leadership Programme 2026 follows a blended learning model combining online and in-person components. Participation in all programme elements is mandatory.

Key dates:

• Application Deadline: 2 March 2026

• Notification Period: April 2026

• Programme Period: May – November 2026

• In-Person Training: 22 June – 1 July 2026

• Delivery Mode: Blended (online and in person)

Who Should Apply?

The programme targets mid- to senior-level professionals working in:

• Leadership and management of TVET, skills, or employment systems

• Policy framing or implementation

• Monitoring, evaluation, and quality assurance

• Networking and partnership development

Applicants must:

• Have at least five years of professional experience in TVET, skills, or employment systems

• Demonstrate interest and ability to drive change

• Be proficient in written and spoken English

• Commit to developing and implementing an institutional action plan

• Have institutional support for participation

Shortlisted candidates may be required to provide confirmation of institutional endorsement.

Benefits of Participation

Participants will:

• Strengthen strategic, collaborative, and adaptive leadership competencies

• Develop a results-oriented institutional action plan

• Gain exposure to global TVET best practices

• Join a global network of TVET leaders

• Receive a Certificate of Completion from UNESCO-UNEVOC

Application process

Interested candidates are invited to submit their application through the online application form. The application takes approximately 60 minutes to complete and must be submitted in a single session. (Please download a PDF version to review and prepare your materials offline.) There is no option to save your responses and return later. Nominations need to be submitted via the online submission form only.

APPLY HERE

• Application deadline: 2 March 2026
• Notification period: April 2026
• Programme period: May – November 2026
• In-person training: 22 June – 1 July 2026
• Delivery mode: Blended (online and in person)

Financial Arrangements

There are no participation fees. Limited financial support may be available for the in-person component, subject to availability and selection criteria. Financial need does not automatically disqualify applicants.

UNESCO-UNEVOC strongly encourages applications from women and candidates from under-represented, conflict-affected, or resource-constrained contexts.

Participation is competitive, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

For more fellowship opportunities, click here.