On Friday, September 27, 2024, the second public-private partnership meeting of the Skilling EcoVET project was held in Tambacounda, gathering 23 participants. This meeting highlighted the key challenges related to youth employment in Senegal. The discussions focused on the necessary skills to meet market needs and the ways to improve access to training, apprenticeship, and employment opportunities for young people.
One of the main points raised during the session was the need to raise awareness about available opportunities, notably through initiatives like the 3FPT (Professional and Technical Training Fund), a key player in promoting VET in Senegal. Participants stressed the importance of greater involvement from administrative authorities in disseminating information about employment and training opportunities to better harmonize actions and avoid fragmented interventions.
Another crucial topic addressed during the meeting was youth employment, with a particular focus on creating a sustainable monitoring mechanism to support young people and women throughout their integration journey. This support should be strengthened through closer collaboration between businesses and training centers, with increased government support to ensure compliance with public-private agreements aimed at facilitating integration. Additionally, decentralizing public tenders was seen as an opportunity to boost the local economy and create more jobs for youth and women.
After a coffee break, the discussion shifted towards the analysis of vocational training in emerging sectors, particularly in the green economy. Participants agreed on the need to develop businesses specialized in this sector and to raise awareness among the population about green economy issues, using local languages to make the concept more accessible. It was also recommended to replace certain terms in planning documents, such as “PSE” (Plan Sénégal Emergent), to align strategies with Senegal’s national transformation agenda for 2050.
The final part of the meeting focused on the inclusion of women and people with disabilities in vocational training pathways. Participants raised several issues, including the lack of effective implementation of the law guaranteeing free education for disabled children, as well as the insufficient infrastructure in training centers for people with disabilities. However, positive examples were cited, such as that of 3FPT, which expanded its inclusion program to orphans and other vulnerable groups, serving as a model for promoting the inclusion of people with disabilities in education and employment.
The meeting concluded on a positive note, with the validation of the proposed recommendations and a strong commitment from all participants to tackle the challenges related to youth integration into the workforce. It was a valuable opportunity to strengthen cooperation among various VET stakeholders and steer future actions towards a more inclusive labor market that meets the needs of Senegalese youth.
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