Developing an Ecological Model of Sustainable Vocational Education for Climate-Resilient Communities in North East Nigeria

This study developed and piloted an ecological model of sustainable vocational education designed to build climate-resilient livelihoods in communities of North East Nigeria, integrating green skills, environmental sustainability, and community development principles into vocational training design. North East Nigeria faces compounding crises of conflict-induced displacement, desertification, and Lake Chad basin shrinkage, creating urgent needs for vocational education that builds adaptive livelihoods rather than conventional trade skills disconnected from environmental realities. The study employed a participatory action research design over 24 months across four communities in Borno, Adamawa, and Yobe States, engaging 120 community vocational learners, 20 environmental educators, 15 climate adaptation specialists, and local government representatives. The ecological model developed, the Climate-Adaptive Vocational Education Framework (CAVEF), integrates five dimensions: green trade competencies, water and land stewardship skills, climate-smart agricultural production, solar energy technology, and community-based enterprise. Pilot implementation produced measurable improvements in participants' adaptive livelihoods, environmental literacy, and income diversification. The framework was validated by an international expert panel including representatives from UNESCO-UNEVOC and the International Labour Organization. This study makes an original theoretical and practical contribution to the emerging literature on green TVET in conflict-affected and climate-vulnerable African communities. Keywords: ecological model, green skills, vocational education, North East Nigeria, climate resilience.