Support to VET Reforms in Uzbekistan (VET4UZ)


Using Swiss experience and quality in dual education, the project supports Uzbekistan’s ongoing vocational education and training reforms, ensures national institutions and Sector Skills Councils are empowered to provide relevant, inclusive, competency-based training that benefits both youth and employers.

Land/Region Thema Periode Budget
Uzbekistan
Gouvernanz
Bildung
Berufsbildung
Politik des öffentlichen Sektors
Bildungspolitik
01.01.2026 - 31.12.2029
CHF  3’000’000
Hintergrund Uzbekistan is undergoing rapid socio-economic reforms aimed at modernizing its education and labour systems to meet the needs of a youthful population and growing private sector. Persistent skills mismatches, high youth unemployment, and weak employer engagement prompted the government to prioritize vocational education and training (VET) reform under the New Uzbekistan Strategy 2030. The Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) launched the VET4UZ project in 2021 to support the creation of a modern, inclusive, and demand-driven dual VET system aligned with labour market needs and European quality standards.
Ziele VET students and graduates in Uzbekistan profit from a more inclusive and demand-driven VET system that improves youth employability and supports private sector development in Uzbekistan.
Zielgruppen

Target groups:

  • Private sector and employers
  • Public Sector Institutions (MHESI, IVETD, MEPR, MPSE)
  • Formal VET providers (professional schools, colleges, technicums)

Beneficiaries:

Under- and unemployed youth aged 15–29 and secondary school students in public VET institutions, with targeted outreach to women and disadvantaged groups.

*Employers, business associations, and VET governance bodies benefit indirectly through stronger mandates and improved capacities.

Mittelfristige Wirkungen

Outcome 1: Employers and business associations play an increasingly active role in the implementation of dual VET system reforms.

Outcome 2: IVETD and VET providers ensure quality and relevance in VET through improved training delivery and a capacitated teacher workforce.

Resultate

Erwartete Resultate:  

Output 1.1: Private sector engagement in VET governance and reform is institutionalized.

Output 1.2: Employer-driven dual VET delivery and curriculum co-creation are established and fully operational.

Output 1.3: Evidence-based learning and policy influence are institutionalized.

Output 2.1: IVETD provides comprehensive development and support for teachers in implementation of competency-based training.

Output 2.2: Stakeholder-driven quality assurance is embedded across school- and company-based training.


Resultate von früheren Phasen:  

Phase I showed that Uzbekistan’s VET reform requires:

  • National ownership rather than project-led pilots.
  • Clear governance roles 
  • Scalable models, especially for teacher training and workplace learning.
  • Evidence-based decision-making to navigate rapid reforms.
  • Stable employer engagement mechanisms, not one-off consultations.
  • Quality assurance tools embedded institutionally, not delivered externally.

These lessons directly shape Phase II.


Verantwortliche Direktion/Bundesamt DEZA
Projektpartner Vertragspartner
Schweizerische Non-Profit-Organisation
  • HELVETAS Swiss Intercooperation


Koordination mit anderen Projekten und Akteuren
  • With SKILL-UP (SDC) - joint advocacy, synergy for stronger system linkages, support in VET reforms.
  • TexVET-GIZ (BMZ) and UNESCO (EU).
Budget Laufende Phase Schweizer Beitrag CHF    3’000’000 Bereits ausgegebenes Schweizer Budget CHF    350’000 Projekttotal seit Anfangsphase Schweizer Beitrag CHF   5’500’000 Budget inklusive Projektpartner CHF   11’500’000
Projektphasen Phase 2 01.01.2026 - 31.12.2029   (Laufende Phase) Phase 1 01.08.2020 - 31.12.2025   (Completed)