Outcome of Africa Skills Week: African govts urged to prioritise skills development

Participants in the just-ended maiden Africa Skills Week (ASW) 2024 have urged African governments to prioritise skills development in their national development plans.

They also called on the governments to increase investment in education and training, reform and implement policies that support targeted and inclusive acquisition of relevant and marketable skills for the 21st century.

They insisted that it should include development and harmonisation of TVET regulatory system with bodies instituted to drive TVET and skills development in member states.

These are part of an eight-point communiqué after the conference, which was held on the theme: “Skills and Jobs for the 21st Century: Quality Skills Development for Sustainable Employability in Africa." 

Strong collaboration

The communiqué stated that strong collaborations among governments, educational institutions and the productive sectors were crucial for aligning skills development with the demands of the labour market.

“Frameworks should be established for exchange programmes for African TVET trainers and students to broaden innovation and learning,” it said.

On promotion of entrepreneurship, the communiqué stressed that entrepreneurship could be a powerful driver of economic growth and job creation and urged governments and educational institutions to support entrepreneurship development through training, mentorship and access to financing.

It stressed that technology could play a significant role in enhancing skills development and access to education.

“Governments and educational institutions should  prioritise digitalisation of TVET and educational systems, focusing on innovative learning technologies and AI integration, to deliver quality education and training,” the communiqué proposed.

It recommended the declaration of 2025-2034 as Africa’s Decade of Skills and Jobs, to strengthen and expand platforms for regular regional and continental exchange both digital and physical on TVET including through ASPYEE portal, WorldSkills Africa.

The communiqué further recommended the institutionalisation of the Africa Skills Week as a biennial event to encourage dialogue, experience sharing and collaboration on skills development and employment in Africa.

Partnership

On increased public and private investment in TVET, it urged African governments to explore and prioritise innovative financing models and mechanisms, such as impact bonds, skills development funds, and blended finance, to de-risk investments and attract both domestic and foreign capital for skills development in Africa.

The communiqué urged governments to partner the youth in intentional skills development and employment actions towards building a future where the African youth can fully realise their potential.

It urged the governments to establish mechanisms to undertake research in TVET, and monitor and evaluate the implementation of skills development initiatives, ensuring innovation, accountability and sustainability.