🌍 Global Perspectives on Strengthening Technical and Vocational Education
📅 October 14, 2025
📍 The Penn Club, New York City
On October 14, 2025, the Forum for World Education (FWE) successfully hosted the Global Roundtable on Technical and Vocational Education at The Penn Club of New York under the theme “Global Perspectives on Strengthening Technical and Vocational Education.”
The event brought together distinguished leaders and experts from the OECD, Swiss Federal University for Vocational Education and Training, U.S. Department of Labor, New York City Department of Education, the Louisiana Board of Regents, and leading universities around the world. Together, they explored how vocational and technical education can address the challenges of global industrial transformation and the future of workforce skills.
(This event was supported by New Empire Corp.)
Education as Diplomacy: Collaboration for a Changing World
The forum was moderated by Sara Salahaddin Mustafa, FWE Young Leader and founder of ConnectED MENA.
In her opening remarks, Dr. Cheng Yan Davis, Chair and Co-Founder of FWE, emphasized that in an era of rapid technological and industrial transformation, nations must embrace the spirit of “Education as Diplomacy” to foster inclusive skill development and global collaboration. She emphasized that education is not only a driver of economic growth but also a foundation for peace, understanding, and sustainable progress.
Redefining the Global Skills Ecosystem
Dr. El Iza Mohamedou, Director of the OECD Centre for Skills, shared OECD’s latest research, noting that nearly 40% of the global workforce is employed in jobs unrelated to their field of study, and urged a shift from “degree-based” to “skills-based” education systems.
Dr. Erik Swars, Head of International Affairs at the Swiss Federal University for Vocational Education and Training, presented Switzerland’s dual-track model as a successful reference for global collaboration in vocational education.
Mr. Brent Parton, President of CareerWise USA and former Acting Assistant Secretary of the U.S. Department of Labor, and Dr. Tristan Denley, Deputy Commissioner for Academic Affairs and Innovation at the Louisiana Board of Regents, discussed innovations in U.S. apprenticeship systems and higher education reforms.
Mr. Duane Hughes, Chair of the UBS Americas Advisory Council, offered an industry perspective on leadership, inclusivity, and the private sector’s role in workforce transformation.
Cross-Sector Dialogue: Building Bridges for Future Cooperation
During the luncheon networking session, participants from Switzerland, the U.S., China, and other countries exchanged insights on public-private partnerships (PPP), international apprenticeship models, and the integration of AI in education.
Ms. Olivia Gachoud, Head of the Office of Science, Technology, and Education at the Embassy of Switzerland in the U.S., highlighted the importance of transnational education networks in youth skill development.
Ms. Jane Martinez-Dowling, Director of Student Development at the New York City Department of Education, shared best practices from the city’s Career Connected Learning initiative.
Prof. Xigang Xie, Vice President of Hunan Industry Polytechnic College, presented China’s advancements in industry-education collaboration.
Industry and Education: Pathways to the Future
Speakers from academia and industry showcased the transformative role of businesses in vocational training and talent development:
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Dr. Zoe Che-Yi, Vice President of Geely Talent Development Group, discussed global strategies for enterprise-education integration.
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Mr. Michael Jiang, CEO of USX Robot Inc., explored applications of AI and robotics in future workforce training.
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Ms. Inarbi Nicole, Founder of Billionaire Moms, shared her initiatives empowering women through education and entrepreneurship.
Closing Reflections and Key Takeaways
The forum concluded with a joint reflection by Dr. Rebecca Maynard, Professor Emerita at the University of Pennsylvania and former Director of Evaluation at the U.S. Institute of Education Sciences (IES), and Dr. Cheng Yan Davis, FWE Chair and Co-Founder.
Dr. Maynard emphasized that evidence-based policy and international collaboration are essential to building effective education systems, while Dr. Davis called for continued engagement in educational diplomacy to advance equity, innovation, and global competitiveness.
Education Connects the World Collaboration Creates the Future
From policy to practice and from academia to industry, the FWE 2025 Global Conference on Technical and Vocational Education showcased how international cooperation can shape the future of learning and work.
Participants agreed that the coming years will be pivotal for transforming global vocational education and deepening cross-border partnerships. FWE remains committed to fostering dialogue among educators, policymakers, and industry leaders to ensure education continues to serve as a bridge for peace, progress, and sustainable development.
