By Gabs Mia
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia: Africa’s young population is expected to double to over 830 million by 2050, creating significant opportunities for economic growth and innovation. Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) has the potential to unlock this opportunity by equipping African youth with the essential skills needed to drive the continent forward.
To raise awareness about the incredible opportunities offered by TVET and to encourage young people to engage, AUDA-NEPAD, in partnership with Humana People to People, announced the launch of the “Africa Skills Revolution” initiative today through a webinar.
Inspired by the AU’s Year for Education 2024, the “Africa Skills Revolution” is a collective initiative consisting of an advocacy campaign aimed at challenging stereotypes around TVET and demonstrating the numerous opportunities it offers for interesting and fulfilling careers for Africa’s youth. Additionally, it includes a competition aimed at amplifying and celebrating the achievements and successes of young Africans in and through TVET.
The campaign aims to ignite a movement, rallying the voices and energy of youth across the continent. By partnering with dynamic youth network forums like the Association of Technical Universities and Polytechnics in Africa (ATUPA) Youth Forum and Trust Africa, the campaign aims to empower young people to take charge of their futures. We call on more organizations to join forces with us and amplify this mission.
During the launch event, stakeholders from industry, the public sector, TVET providers, and youth came together to engage in forward-thinking dialogue. The discussion focused on exploring current challenges and opportunities specific to TVET in Africa, with an emphasis on promoting sustainable development.
Key topics included the future of TVET-related public policies, skills development, strategies for making TVET programs accessible to underprivileged youth in remote communities, and enhancing collaboration among all involved actors to address the most pressing challenges.
“As we launch ‘The Africa Skills Revolution’ initiative, we are dedicated to unlocking the potential of Africa’s youth through TVET. This initiative, closely aligned with the AU’s 2024 theme and our ten-year implementation plan, which aims to challenge stereotypes and celebrate the achievements of young Africans. Let’s empower our youth with the skills they need to drive sustainable development across our continent,” stated Mr. Nicholas Ouma, Senior Youth Advisor at the African Union.
The initiative’s goals call upon governments, private sector entities, educational institutions, industry partners, NGOs, and international bodies to unite in this transformative journey. Your support and collaboration are crucial in creating an enabling environment where young Africans can thrive.
“The ‘Africa Skills Revolution’ initiative represents a significant step toward empowering young Africans. By providing access to quality TVET, we are enabling the youth to become key drivers of prosperity and innovation in their communities,” said Ms. Bolette Strandbygaard, Chairperson of Humana People to People Educational and Training Foundation.
Together, by joining forces, we can build a robust network that fosters skill development, drives innovation, and catalyzes sustainable economic growth.
