Senior representatives of 14 African countries discuss quality apprenticeships to address youth unemployment and skills mismatch

Senior representatives of governments, employers’ organizations and trade unions of 14 African countries[1] are participating in a Learning Forum on Quality Apprenticeships in Nairobi, Kenya from 18 to 22 September 2017 to discuss promotion of quality apprenticeships in order to address skills mismatch and youth unemployment in the African region. The event is funded by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Norway and the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation.

Although some African countries recorded high economic growth rates in recent years, there are millions of people who do not benefit from economic development. In fact, according to the International Labour Organization (ILO), unemployment rate for Africa is estimated to be 8.0% in 2017.[2] The rate is elevated for women than for men, especially in North Africa (20.0%).[3] Youth are worse off (youth unemployment rate in North Africa was 29.3% and 10.9% in Sub-Saharan Africa). Even for those employed, 56.9% of workers live in poverty in Africa[4], a recent issues of ILO’s World Employment and Social Outlook reports reveals.

The ILO promotes quality apprenticeships as a top priority for the organization since this mode of training helps youth move into decent jobs and help enterprises find the workforce they need for the future. Quality apprenticeship systems combine classroom and workplace learning. They avoid the problem where the skills in demand in the labour market do not match the skills produced by the education system.

Of recent, policymakers in East Africa have paid increasing attention to apprenticeships to address youth employment and skills development challenges. Tanzania launched the National Apprenticeship and Internship Guidelines on 16 September 2017. The ILO provided technical assistance to the development of the Guidelines. It also has been working with Uganda and Zambia on their national frameworks of apprenticeships.

Ms Mary Wanjugu Ngechu

As part of the learning forum, over 40 participants will visit packaging and printing companies of a Kenyan woman entrepreneur to learn about home grown sproblems on 20 September 2017. With financial and business support of the Kenya Industrial Estates, Ms Mary Wanjugu Ngechu started and expanded her business. Her factories train modestly educated youth for two years in a structured learning programme and employ them. The training programmes are now being formalized and trainees will receive nationally recognized skills certificate. The companies challenge gender occupational segregation by bringing women to work in manufacturing production floor which is often dominated by male workers. They have promoted a company culture that values treating people without discrimination to break down the gender stereotypes.

During the five-day events, the participants will discuss and share knowledge various topics relating to quality apprenticeships including: regulatory framework, financing models, public-private partnerships.

Participants in the Learning Forum on Quality Apprenticeships in Nairobi, Kenya

Learning forum on quality apprenticeships, 18-22 September 2017

Dates: 18-22 September 2017

Time: 9:00-17:00

Venue: Concord Hotel and Suites (31 Wangapala Road, Parklands, Nairobi, Kenya)

Contact on the learning forum:

Kazutoshi Chatani: [email protected]

Alessandra Molz: [email protected]

Study visit on 20 September 2017

Date: Wednesday, 20 September 2017

Time: 14:00-17:00

Venue: Conference room of the Kenya Industrial Estates (Lusing Eti, Nairobi, Kenya)

Company visit: Plast Packaging Industries Ltd. and Line Art Solutions Ltd.

Contact on the study visit:

Alice Mwaisaka: [email protected]

Kazutoshi Chatani: [email protected]

[1] Algeria, Benin, Democratic Republic of Congo, Egypt, Gambia, Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Morocco, Senegal, Tanzania, Tunisia, Uganda, Zambia. A delegate of Haiti also participates in the event.

[2] ILO (2017) World Employment and Social Outlook: Trends 2017. Geneva.

[3] ILO (2017) World Employment and Social Outlook: Trends for women 2017. Geneva.

[4] ILO (2017) World Employment and Social Outlook: Trends 2017. Geneva.

Contact:

Alice Mwaisaka: [email protected]

Kazutoshi Chatani: [email protected]