Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.uz) — International education company Pearson and Uzbekistan’s Agency for Vocational Education are expanding their cooperation in workforce training.
Under the next phase of the international BTEC professional qualifications programme, the qualifications will be introduced at 45 additional state technical colleges across Uzbekistan. A further 3,500 students are expected to begin studying under the programmes in the 2026/2027 academic year.
The initiative is part of the Uzbekistan-2030 national development strategy and aims to modernise vocational education, improve the quality of specialist training and expand employment opportunities for young people.
BTEC programmes will cover fields considered important to the national economy, including engineering, information technology, construction, tourism, hospitality, healthcare and social care.
Teacher training and international education standards
Teacher training is a key part of the cooperation. Pearson and the Agency for Vocational Education are working to ensure that educational institutions and teaching staff are ready to introduce the new programmes.
More than 380 teachers from the vocational and technical education system have already completed week-long training courses in Tashkent. The training focused on improving teaching methods, approaches to assessing students’ knowledge and skills, and student support systems.
Particular attention was paid to practical assignments designed to simulate real workplace situations. This approach is central to BTEC programmes, which focus on developing applied skills sought by employers.
Jane Baker, Pearson’s Vice-President for Professional Qualifications, said the expansion would enable young people in different regions of Uzbekistan to obtain internationally recognised qualifications.
“A student at a technical college in Samarkand or Nukus should have the opportunity to earn a qualification recognised by employers in Tashkent or abroad. That is what BTEC offers. This year, more than 380 teachers have completed training jointly with the Agency for Vocational Education and will now introduce BTEC at their institutions. Every student who completes the course becomes another skilled professional for the industries driving Uzbekistan’s growth,” Baker said.
Azimjon Khusanov, Director of the Agency for Vocational Education, also highlighted the importance of the partnership in integrating Uzbekistan’s vocational education system into the international education environment.
“Our partnership with Pearson is an important step towards bringing Uzbekistan’s vocational education system into line with international standards. By integrating qualifications recognised worldwide, we are equipping young people with practical skills that meet the requirements of both domestic and international labour markets and address the needs of modern industries,” he said.
Further education and employment opportunities
Pearson BTEC qualifications are recognised in more than 70 countries. Their educational model is based on practical assignments and the assessment of professional competencies, enabling students to acquire knowledge and skills directly applicable to their future careers.
The qualifications are valued by employers and educational institutions, giving graduates additional opportunities for professional development and further study at universities.
The expansion to 45 state technical colleges marks another stage in the wider adoption of international education standards in Uzbekistan. Plans call for increasing the number of participating institutions and reaching more young people across the country.
More broadly, cooperation with Pearson reflects Uzbekistan’s efforts to make vocational education more practice-oriented and closely aligned with the needs of the economy.
This is particularly relevant amid technological change and growing demand for specialists with specific professional skills.
The introduction of BTEC programmes is intended to broaden young people's access to competitive education, improve workforce training and strengthen links between the vocational education system and the labour market.
