The EU Diplomatic Compound in Mogadishu, the European Union, jointly with Germany and the Somali Government, launched a project to rehabilitate the technical and vocational education and training (TVET) sector in Somalia. Representatives from the Federal Government as well as regional administrations and the private sector joined the launch.
“Thanks to increased stability, every day more people from the growing Somali youth population are accessing primary and secondary education. This raises hopes and expectations for them, and they dream of a better future. Their energy and enthusiasm is one of the biggest resources of Somalia – a resource that needs to be harnessed”, stated EU Chargé d’Affaires to Somalia Fulgencio Garrido Ruiz.
“The long tradition of vocational training, work-based learning and apprenticeships contributed to the prosperity of Germany. We are pleased to bring this expertise to Somalia.
Many countries are experiencing economic gains as a resultof improving their technical and vocational trainings. I am sure that Somalia will equally benefit from this new programme”, stated the new Ambassador of Germany to Somalia, Mrs Annett Günther.
The Federal Minister of Education Abdullahi Godah Barrethanked the EU and Germany for their long-standing support to the Somali people. “This project is unlike any other. I urge partners to support quality trainings in key economic sectors such as agricultural and veterinary, mechanics and technicians as well as administrative skills”.
The Federal Minister of Labour and Social Affairs Salah Ahmed Jama stated: “The missing link between the Somali private sector’s demand for skilled labour, and the supply of qualified graduates is the government. We need to fill this gap and introduce policies and regulations that ensure trainings respond to the needs of the Somali economy.”
Shifting from supply- to demand-driven trainings in key economic sectors
The TVET Rehabilitation project is worth 13 million Euro, of which the EU is contributing €8 million and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) €5 million.
Its objective is to improve the employability of Somali youth through vocational training, with particular attention to women.
The aim is to shift from a supply- to a demand-driven approach to delivering TVET in key economic sectors.
The project is implemented by the German development agency GIZ across Somalia and it will:
– rehabilitate 4 selected vocational training centres across Somalia
– develop quality training programmes in labour-market oriented occupational profiles, and train 3500 students
– improve TVET governance at federal, regional and local level.
Source: EU News
