VVZ API is not affiliated with ETH Zurich. Data might be outdated or incorrect. Please view the official ETHZ Vorlesungsverzeichnis for binding information.

865-0065-00L 3 Credits MSC , WBZ , NDS D-GESS

VET between Poverty Alleviation and Economic Development

Lecturers & Examiners: Dr. Kenneth Harttgen, Dr. Katie Gahr

Only for MAS/CAS in Global Cooperation and Sustainable Development students, as well as specialists with at least 24 months of practical experience in international cooperation. ETH doctoral students working on topics related to poverty reduction in low- and middle income countries may also be admitted. Registration only through the NADEL homepage.

VVZ CR n/a

Last Updated: 2026-06-01 11:30:46

Abstract

The course aims at strengthening the capacity in portfolio management for VET, skills development and active labor market policies. It deals with basic issues and challenges of Vocational Education and Training (VET) in Developing Countries. In view of the many of school leavers VET has to place itself between the contradicting intensions of quality education and short-term training interventions.

Objective

The participants are able to - Assess project proposals and ongoing project regarding their relevance and suitability in the specific country context - Explain strengths and weaknesses of the opposing approaches "dual apprenticeship" and "competency based training" as well as synergies and incompatibilities between the two - Describe the competent use of tools currently applied in VET

Content

• Basic concepts and terms • Differences and commonalities between VET and neighboring systems • Planning, assessment of VET interventions with different objectives: economic development, poverty alleviation, creation of self-employment or systems development • VET as a cooperation system of stakeholders with different duties, interests and competencies • Background, potential use and limitations of (national) qualification frameworks • Half-day visit to important actors of the Swiss VET landscape

General Information

Language: English
Levels: MSC , WBZ , NDS
Frequency: Every two years

Examination

Type: ungraded semester performance

Course Components

Type	Title	Time & Place	Hours
lecture with exercise	VET between Poverty Alleviation and Economic Development Block course: 19.01. – 23.01.2026	No time listed	40 h semesterly

Offered In

Comparative and International Studies Master
- Wahlfächer
MAS in Global Cooperation and Sustainable Development (Die Pflichtfächer des NADEL sind ausschliesslich für Studierende des MAS in Global Cooperation and Sustainable Development und für Fachkräfte der Entwicklungszusammenarbeit (EZA) mit mindestens 2 Jahren Berufserfahrung in der EZA und einem von der ETH anerkannten Abschluss auf Masterstufe zugänglich. Doktorierende, die sich mit empirischer Forschung im EZA-Bereich befassen, können "sur Dossier" zugelassen werden. Die Wahlfächer stehen Masterstudierenden der ETH offen mit Anmeldung/Warteliste. Priorität haben MAS Studierende.)
- Studienreglement 2021
  - Vertiefungsmodule
- Studienreglement 2024
  - Module
CAS in Global Cooperation and Sustainable Development (Findet jedes Frühjahrssemester und jedes zweite Herbstsemester (mit ungerader Jahreszahl) statt.)
- Module