Preventing Forced Labour Through Skills Training

Once again Don Bosco Tech Africa was privileged to be invited to be on a panel of international experts in the area of TVET intervention in Africa. Fr. George TJ, the Executive Director of Don Bosco Tech Africa was on the panel of experts of the International Labor Organization (ILO), at a regional knowledge sharing workshop on “Skills to combat Forced Labour”. The event took place on the 16th of November 2022.

This year Don Bosco Tech Africa participated as expert panelists at various forums such as the Italian Development Cooperation, UNESCO-UNEVOC, United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) and International Labour Organization (ILO).

The Panel, of which Fr. George was a member focused on the topic of “Preventing Forced Labour Through Skills Training”. Fr. George was able to bring out the contribution of the Salesians of Don Bosco in combating forced labour through our TVET intervention worldwide and at the African continent level.

He spoke of the specific contribution of the Salesian TVET offer towards preventing Forced Labour focusing on the aspect of preparing a young person not only for a decent employment, but also for “Quality of Life”. This is done through:

• The holistic formation of the young person, focusing not only on the professional skills, but also on life skills, soft skills and entrepreneurship skills. In short preparing a young person for life and not just for a job.
• The specific role of the Salesian Job Service Officer and the Job Service Office, in assisting and accompanying a young person from the time he/she enters the training center, in helping the youngster to prepare and follow the Vocational and Personal Life Plan (VPLP), keeping up the constant interaction with the industry, assisting in internship and job placements, and finally, continuing the interaction with the young person, even when he/she is in employment or in self-employment.
• The envisaged implementation of “Recognition of Prior Learning” (RPL)
• Reaching out to the marginalized groups such as ex-child soldiers, children from the streets, disadvantaged families, prisoners, refugees etc.

The forum brought together experts from the ILO, African Union, people from various government agencies, employers and employees.