Re-Engineering Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) with Effective Health, Safety and Environmental (HSE) Skills

Globally, vocational and technical education is deemed to be the answer to engaging the youths and young professionals and reducing the high rate of unemployment. With the growing failure of governments and the private sector to create jobs, quality technical education holds the key to the creation of more jobs, especially soft skills opportunities such as Health, Safety and Environmental services, which is one of the leading skills needed in all sectors.

However, the high rates of injury and fatalities in the workplace are so alarming. Young and new workers experience the highest rates of occupational injuries of any age group. This is because the behaviour and practices acquired at a younger age can last for life, hence, it is important to train young workers on occupational health and safety. Therefore, occupational safety and health information and awareness are key factors within the TVET programmes.

While TVET is concerned with the acquisition of knowledge and skills for the world of work, occupational safety and health (OSH) aim at the protection and promotion of safety and health in the workplace. The World Health Organization (WHO) is the UN agency specialising in health, and it recognizes the urgent need to incorporate OSH aspects into TVET programmes.

The inculcation of Health and Safety Training in TVET will go a long way to not just revitalize the sector, but ensuring that accidents, incidents and fatalities are being stunted to the barest minimum.

Here are some benefits of SAFETY IN TVET

• Secure the Health, Safety and Welfare of Employees and Other People at Work

The integration of OSH components into TVET will not just secure the safety of employers but will see that their welfare is also being taken care of. While TVET education is concerned with the acquisition of knowledge and skills for the world of work, occupational safety and health (OSH) aim at the protection and promotion of safety and health in the workplace. Thus, it is of utmost importance and urgent to train TVET students in OSH at the TVET institute level and after graduation, the students will comply with the OSH on the job.

• Eliminate Workplace Risks and Hazards

The integration of OSH components in TVET will train the young persons and see that fatalities, accidents and incidents are stunted. OSH measures also go a long way to boosting the confidence of workers on-site as long as they make it a habit to follow the rules and regulations of OSH.

In conclusion, the Occupation Health and Safety Association understands the importance of OSH to TVET and has since been working closely with educational institutions, through advocacies campaigns as well as training of professionals and artisans all to see that its mandate of stunting accidents and fatalities especially in sites and workplaces is actualised.??

Alanza Giwa, MOSHA

Head of Media,

OSHAssociation Nigeria Region.?