TVET Equipment: How to Search and Evaluate

.........Guest post by Timo Wohlin-Elkovsky, Founder & CEO, Edquip

Every profession has its tools, and the more compelling these tools are, the higher is their output.

Similarly, we know that a TVET educator needs access to effective technology and methodologies to teach relevant skills.

Studies show that TVET educators spend an unreasonable amount of time searching for and keeping up to date with the best-in-class training tools.

This article will run through searching, benchmark, and evaluating the best technical training tools for teaching TVET.

Let us jump right in!

Baseline Analysis
Before looking at different teaching tools, a proper baseline analysis is necessary. Typically, it includes various topics, a few of them summarized in five points below. If you need help to execute a thorough baseline analysis, find a good consultant who can help you.

Training needs analysis (jobs will be in demand)
Job analysis (tasks in each job)
Identification of Competencies (what learners need to learn, skills, attitudes etc.)
Competency Development Framework (learning areas, verifiable to standard level)
Development of Curriculum (teaching materials and technology)

Search Parameters
Finding the right tools for your training center is not easy. You can choose from a plethora of products. To be effective in your search, you need to know what to look for and what matters for you.

This search often differs between situations depending on student population and learning goals. Below are some standard parameters:

Budget available
Language requirements
Depth of knowledge transfer
Proof of knowledge transfer
Technical requirements
Train the trainer needs
Equipment delivery time
After-sales support

How to Search
There are plenty of ways to find valuable information on different companies and their products. Most of the ways to search have both pros and cons.

Contact a peer and learn what equipment they use
Read and follow industry news
Visit TVET trade fairs
Search online for producer websites in your training field
Contact local distributors of technical training equipment
Hire a consultant
Use an aggregator such as Edquip

Using an Aggregator like Edquip
Edquip is an aggregator of training equipment in various fields of vocational education and training. What sets it apart is that it pools training equipment from different competing companies to easily search and compare essential parameters.

It is also possible for educators to request customized quotations straight from the producer, saving institutions' time and money.
Below are the product categories currently covered:

Renewable Energy (Biomass, Geothermal, Hydrogen Fuel Cells, Hydropower, Wind power, Solar Photovoltaics, Solar Thermal, Ocean Energy etc.)
Fluid Power (Hydraulic, Pneumatic)
Industrial Automation (Industrial robotics, Mechatronics, PLC training systems, Process control)
Automotive Training (Electronics, diesel engines, gasoline engines, hybrid and electric systems)
Aircraft Maintenance (System trainers, Avionics, Powerplant trainers)
HVAC & Refrigeration (heating, ventilation, air conditioning, refrigeration)
CNC Routers (fixed bridge, gantry style)
Industrial Maintenance (industrial pumps, machines etc.)

Here you can find a link to a video to help you understand how to use Edquip best.

TVET teachers need to access useful training tools, but searching for and evaluating such equipment is very time-consuming.

Best practices for the acquisition of technical training systems are first making sure you have a proper baseline analysis. Also, establish the search parameters that are important to you and use different information sources to find the best tools.

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