While education is a key to any development strategy, technical and vocational education and training (TVET) is the master key that can transform the world of work and the economy, alleviate poverty, save the environment and improve the quality of life. As students are being prepared to become efficient, skillful and competent workers, they can at the same time be educated to become productive and responsible citizens, the creators of better tomorrows--of sustainable future societies. This article discusses the paradigm shift taking place in TVET. Its philosophy, vision and mission, goals and objectives, policies and practices, content and methodologies are undergoing transformation. This new and enhanced vision is leading to an expanded and strategic role for TVET in the twenty-first century. It will be an era of rapid change and dramatic revolutions, of globalization and democratization, of breakthroughs and breakdowns never before experienced by humankind. The resulting challenges in education in general, and in TVET in particular, are tremendous and overwhelming and need to be faced especially for the survival and progress of future generations. (Contains 3 figures.)