Thursday 15 October 2026 - 15:05-16:05

Africa Skills Week 2026: What makes skills systems work?

Across Africa, countries are investing in skills development and lifelong learning to support economic transformation, job creation and just transitions. But what makes skills reforms sustainable and effective?

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This session will explore how strong governance, social dialogue, institutional coordination and sustainable financing can turn skills policies into lasting improvements in labour market outcomes. Drawing on country experiences from the ILO’s Global Skills Programme in Africa, it will showcase practical lessons from reforms ranging from apprenticeship governance and sector skills bodies to skills financing, work-based learning, recognition of prior learning and skills certification.

Bringing together policymakers and social partners, the session will examine how employers’ and workers’ organizations, governments and training institutions can work together to build skills systems that are more responsive, inclusive and resilient. It will highlight the importance of whole-of-government approaches, meaningful social dialogue and strong institutional capacity in anticipating changing labour market needs and supporting lifelong learning.

The discussion will also consider how governance reforms can help countries respond to technological, demographic and environmental change, while strengthening the implementation of the African Continental TVET Strategy and Agenda 2063.

Join us to exchange practical lessons on what makes skills reforms work — and how stronger governance and social dialogue can build skills systems that deliver for people, employers and economies.

Date: Thursday 15 October 2026 | Time: 15:05 - 16:05
Venue/Format: Online (Zoom) | Registration: Register here

Speakers:

Moderator: Okal Albert William, Skills and Lifelong Learning Specialist, ILO
Comrade Vimbai Eva Mushongera, Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU)
Ms. Barbel W. Kirchner, CEO of Construction Industry Federation and Board Member, Namibia Employers' Federation (NEF)
Dr Honest Zhou, University of Zimbabwe
Ms Cathy Kabedi Kayembe, Coordinator of Commission Nationale de Certification Professionnelle (CNC) (National Commission for Professional Certification) - Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC)