Background/purpose – This study investigated the level of awareness and implementation of elements of education for sustainable development in technical teacher education programs in tertiary institutions in Rivers State.

Materials/methods – Descriptive survey design was employed to collect data using a validated questionnaire which elicited both closed and open ended responses.  The study sample was 117 participants including 29 teachers and 88 final year students purposively selected from three tertiary institutions that offer technical teacher education program in Rivers State, Nigeria. Data were analyzed using frequency counts and percentages and results presented in charts and table.

Results – The result showed a minimal level of awareness of the concept of sustainable development among the study participants. Also, elements of sustainable development were integrated into the curriculum of technical education but sparingly. Furthermore, the result showed that integration of elements sustainable development in the process of preparing students of technical teacher education were practiced rarely and occasionally.

Conclusion – Low level of awareness and implementation of the concept of education for sustainable development could negatively impact achievement of the goals of sustainable development among the study group.