Facing Obsolete Centers, Outdated Programs, and an Alarming Dropout Rate, Vocational Training is Going Through a Turbulent Period
Between urgent reforms to be undertaken and international cooperation to be strengthened, the government is counting on a new momentum to transform a fragile system into a true engine of employment and growth.
The Current State of Vocational Training
According to the Minister of Employment and Vocational Training, Riadh Chaoued, the vocational training system is going through a difficult period. This assessment is based on a recent diagnosis of the situation of training centers in different regions. The minister emphasized that the problem is not financial, but rather related to other difficulties revealed by the evaluation, which require rapid decisions to overcome them.
Outdated Infrastructure and Programs
The minister acknowledged that vocational training centers suffer from numerous problems, including outdated equipment and insufficient maintenance of buildings. He also highlighted the need to review pedagogical approaches and update training programs to better meet the needs of the market. To address these issues, the ministry plans to create new specialties in centers located in inland regions and improve services for trainees.
Creating New Job Opportunities
According to the minister, the evaluation showed that the phenomenon of trainee dropout is often linked to the poor quality of services offered by centers. Therefore, he stressed the importance of improving the quality of life of trainees and developing cultural and sports activities. In this context, he recalled the agreements concluded with the Ministries of Cultural Affairs and Youth and Sports to mobilize physical education teachers and enrich the cultural and sports offer in training establishments.
International Cooperation
The Minister of Employment met with the Ambassador of the European Union in Tunisia, Gilles Perron, to evaluate the common programs and projects underway in the field of employment and vocational training. On this occasion, he emphasized the importance of cooperation with the European Union, which contributes to strengthening the capacities of the training and employment system. The two parties discussed the progress of the "Support for Business Competitiveness and Economic Empowerment through Job Creation" (CAP-Employment) program, carried out in partnership with the African Development Bank. This project aims to develop skills, strengthen job opportunities for job seekers, encourage entrepreneurship, and structure informal sector activities.
A Common Will to Act for Youth Employment
The Tunisian minister and the European ambassador agreed to continue coordination and collaboration to improve the employability of young people and strengthen the capacities of the national economy to generate growth and jobs. However, beyond intentions, it is a whole model of success that Tunisia is called upon to build. The experience of developed countries, such as Germany, demonstrates that a well-thought-out vocational training policy can profoundly transform the labor market and offer real prospects for young people.
Changing the Perception of Vocational Training
Ultimately, if the political will is displayed, the central question remains: will Tunisia be able to transform vocational training into a true lever of employability and not just a fallback option for young people who have left the classical school system? Today, many families still consider these paths as secondary options, far from being valued. However, in several developed countries, such as Germany, with its dual system combining apprenticeship and theoretical teaching, vocational training is a path of excellence, directly connected to the needs of the economy.
The Challenge Ahead
The challenge is twofold: it is necessary to modernize infrastructure and programs, but also to transform the image of vocational training in the eyes of society. This implies attracting motivated young people, convincing companies to fully engage, and building a governance capable of circumventing administrative slowness. Without this profound transformation, reforms risk remaining mere statements of intent, unable to respond to the urgency of unemployment and the flight of skills. It is therefore essential that Tunisian society and families change their perception of vocational training. It should no longer be perceived as a safety net, chosen after a failure in the classical school career. For vocational training is not only an alternative, it is a true path to the future. A path capable of giving hope to a youth seeking dignity, and providing Tunisia with the talents and skills the country desperately needs to build its prosperity.
