Social and solidarity economy (SSE) approach for technical and vocational education training (TVET) empowering youth with disrupted education

Purpose The aim of this paper is to investigate how Social and Solidarity Economy (SSE) principles can be integrated into Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) systems to support youth with disrupted education due to conflict, natural disasters or systemic inequality. Design/methodology/approach This study uses a qualitative, exploratory methodology to analyze existing SSE-based TVET programs and extract key characteristics, gaps and opportunities, employing a concept-driven literature review that treats academic and grey sources as “conceptual data” for framework building. Findings The research demonstrates that integrating SSE into TVET can significantly enhance youth empowerment, foster cooperation and social responsibility and promote sustainable development. The proposed framework provides a culturally relevant and community-driven approach that aligns with SDG 4 (quality education) and SDG 8 (decent work and economic growth). Practical implications The study offers actionable guidance for policymakers, educators and practitioners seeking to design inclusive and sustainable training programs that leverage local resources and social capital. Social implications By focusing on vulnerable youth, the integrated framework contributes to social inclusion, community resilience and equitable economic opportunities, advancing broader development goals. Originality/value This paper fills a notable gap in the literature by proposing a practical, empowerment-focused framework that bridges SSE and TVET, offering a novel pathway for developing responsive and sustainable education systems for marginalized populations.