Africa Continental TVET Strategy 2025-34 Drafted By SASASNET

Africa Continental TVET Strategy 2025-34 Drafted By SASASNET. The Africa Continental TVET (Technical and Vocational Education and Training) Strategy 2025-34 is a critical blueprint aimed at transforming skills development and employment systems across Africa. Spearheaded by the Sub-Saharan Africa Skills and Apprenticeship Stakeholders Network (SASASNET), this strategy is set to align the continent’s vocational education with labor market needs, the African Union’s (AU) Agenda 2063, and other relevant global frameworks. Below, we delve into the details of how this strategy was drafted and the objectives it seeks to achieve.
Africa Continental TVET Strategy
In response to the changing economic and social landscapes across Africa, the need to revise the existing Continental TVET Strategy 2015-24 became evident. The new strategy, covering 2025-34, is designed to address the persistent issues of youth unemployment and underemployment by fostering a vocational education system that prioritizes job creation over job seeking.
The Role Of SASASNET In Drafting The Strategy
Hon. Ousman Sillah, Secretary General of SASASNET, played a pivotal role in the drafting process. As a member of a select group of technical experts in education, skills development, and employment policy formulation, Hon. Sillah contributed his expertise to ensure the new strategy is both comprehensive and forward-thinking. The African Union Commission (AUC) invited Hon. Sillah to join the Drafting Team responsible for developing this revised strategy.
The Drafting Process And Key Contributors
The Drafting Team, composed of representatives from various influential organizations, including the AUC, AUDA-NEPAD, ILO, UNESCO, UNHCR, GIZ, and AfDB, among others, convened at the AU Headquarters in Addis Ababa from August 6-8, 2024. This multi-disciplinary team of experts worked collaboratively to develop a strategy that reflects the diverse needs and priorities of the African continent.
Mandate And Objectives Of The Drafting Team
The primary mandate of the Drafting Team was to create a revised TVET Strategy that would serve as a comprehensive framework for vocational education across Africa. The team was tasked with translating the findings and recommendations from the TVET Review process into a strategic document that outlines key priorities, strategic objectives, and implementation mechanisms. This document will serve as the main working paper for further discussions and improvements by other stakeholders.
Key Focus Areas Of The Revised TVET Strategy
The revised strategy places a strong emphasis on aligning TVET systems with labor market demands, particularly focusing on youth employment. It aims to transform the vocational education landscape in Africa by encouraging a shift from traditional job-seeking education models to one that fosters entrepreneurship and job creation. This shift is seen as essential in addressing the challenges posed by the continent’s growing youth population.
The Importance Of Stakeholder Involvement
Stakeholder involvement was a crucial aspect of the drafting process. An online Open Forum was held on July 17, 2024, organized by the AUC, AUDA-NEPAD, GIZ, and STEP Innovations Africa in collaboration with SASASNET. This forum provided a platform for members to discuss the strategy, offering comments and input that were integrated into the final draft.
Closing Remarks And Next Steps
The drafting process was concluded with remarks from key participants. Sabine Claus, Head of GIZ Skills Initiative for Africa (SIFA) Programme, commended the collaborative spirit of the team. Mrs. Sophia Ashipala, Head of Education Division at the African Union Commission, expressed gratitude to all team members and emphasized the importance of continuing the momentum to ensure the strategy’s successful implementation.
Conclusion
The Africa Continental TVET Strategy 2025-34 represents a significant step forward in addressing the challenges of youth unemployment in Africa. By fostering a vocational education system that prioritizes skills development and job creation, this strategy is poised to make a lasting impact on the continent’s economic future. The next phase involves gaining broad stakeholder support to ensure the strategy’s successful adoption and implementation, ultimately benefiting African youth and contributing to global labor markets.