Central Asia and South Caucasus: New paths for VET partnerships
Central Asian countries’ interest in cooperating with Germany continued to grow in 2025. Exploratory trips, round tables, and targeted networking have opened up new pathways for international vocational education and training cooperation.
Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan are continuing to reform their vocational education and training systems. The demand for well-qualified skilled workers persists. Both countries sought expert dialogue with German partners in 2025.
In late April, the German Embassy in Astana together with the AHK Central Asia organised a round table with approximately 50 participants. GOVET provided virtual support and expert input on the topics of quality in vocational education and training, sustainability, and migration of skilled workers.
From 17 to 24 May, representatives from both the Federal Ministry for Education, Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth (BMBFSFJ) and GOVET undertook an exploratory trip to Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan. The aim was to sound out the specific possibilities of bilateral cooperation with both of these ambitious, geostrategically important countries that are rich in raw materials. Key topics included VET research, VET school partnerships, the recognition of foreign qualifications, and the question of the sustainability of cooperation formats.
We detected great decisiveness and dynamism among trainees, teaching staff, researchers, and also policy-makers in both countries during our exploratory trip. They want to use good training to advance their economies, and they understand the importance of skilled workers who help in local value creation. We can learn from them. I look forward to further cooperation.
Dr Hannelore Kress, Chief Technical Adviser Bilateral Cooperation
The growing mutual interest was also evident at the diplomatic level. There is intensive exchange via the embassies in Berlin, and GOVET participates in appropriate meetings and events. At the start of the year, the Kazakh Embassy provided information about current education reform plans.
Specific ties were also formed at the project level: Together with the “Wohnungswirtschaft Osteuropa e.V.”, a non-profit organisation whose aim is to develop market economy structures in the housing and construction sectors in Eastern European and Central Asian countries as well as in the Caucasus, an online consultation took place regarding dual training in the area of building caretaker services in Kazakhstan. In Tashkent, GOVET provided information material to support a vocational orientation day for persons interested in VET. The event was organised by the company Papenburg and took place on 1 and 2 October 2025.