Quality TVET for the Successful Training-to-Employment Transition of Youth in Africa

Don Bosco Tech Africa hosted its online Annual Stakeholders Assembly (ASA) on March 25^th and 26^th, 2025, under the theme Quality TVET for the Successful Training-to-Employment Transition of Youth in Africa. The two-day webinar brought together local and international stakeholders in Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), industry experts, and representatives from various government agencies. It featured engaging presentations and panel discussions, exploring how quality TVET can enhance employability and improve livelihoods.

On the first day, Mr Jean Nepomuscene, project officer at DB Tech Africa, in his presentation emphasized the critical role of quality management systems (QMS) in TVET institutions to enhance youth employability and quality of life. He introduced the Plan-Do-Check-Act (PDCA) quality cycle as a framework for continuous improvement and highlighted areas for quality management, including curriculum development, teaching and learning processes, leadership, organizational structure, and resource allocation.

The interactive panel discussions emphasized the importance of linking training to real-world employment opportunities, highlighting how quality TVET programs can bridge the gap between classroom learning and the job market. TVET provides young people with a wide skills portfolio that helps them manage and change the reality they live in. Collaboration with key actors in education including industries was emphasised as a key strategy for quality TVET.

Ms. Federica Farnè, the Program Regional Coordinator for West Africa at VIS presented the Skilling Eco-VET underscoring its aim to address the mismatch between labour supply and demand, strengthen collaboration among vocational stakeholders, and integrate innovative, inclusive training methods. With a focus on empowering women, vulnerable groups, and potential migrants, Skilling Eco-VET develops green, sustainable, and market-oriented vocational pathways that enhance employability, prevent irregular migration, and promote local entrepreneurship.

Recognition of prior learning (RPL) was the key topic of discussion for the second day where the key speaker Mr. Tom Olang’o, from Kenya’s Ministry of Education, and the panelists underscored it as a crucial agent for socio-economic development. RPL frameworks can empower those in insecure or informal jobs to secure better and decent employment by recognizing and formalizing their existing skills. Policy development and implementation of RPL requires the involvement and support of all stakeholders including the government, TVET providers and the industry. However, a lot of public awareness on RPL is required for people to fully understand and embrace it. These conversations reinforced the urgent need for collaborative efforts between TVET providers, governments, and industry players to ensure that training programs are relevant, inclusive, and responsive to the evolving demands of the job market.

In his remarks, Fr. Maximus Okoro, Director of Don Bosco Tech Africa, stressed the organization’s commitment to promoting equitable access to quality education and skills training for African youth. He encouraged participants to embrace innovative approaches to vocational training that prioritize both technical skills and soft skills, enabling graduates to thrive in diverse work environments. His words were echoed by Mr. Steffen Möhlendick, Project Manager of Public Cooperation Partners – Don Bosco Mondo, who highlighted that there were no simple isolated solutions in TVET, noting that it is systemic, needs a holistic view and a coordinated approach incorporating perspectives from all stakeholders to be successful.

As Don Bosco Tech Africa continues to champion youth empowerment and employment through TVET, the insights from this event will inform future initiatives aimed at enhancing the effectiveness of TVET programs across the continent. By focusing on quality, inclusivity, and strategic partnerships, the organization aims to build a brighter, more sustainable future for Africa’s youth.

The webinar was moderated by Mr. Ngure Githinji, Research and Development Officer at Don Bosco Tech Africa.