DC dVET at VET Conference in Cotonou, Benin
On 22 – 23 February 2023 Lisa Pesendorfer from the DC dVET secretariat togehter with one of the DC dVET key experts, Anthony Gewer, participated in the VET Conference on “Strengthening apprenticeship systems in the informal economy in Africa” that took place in Cotonou, Benin.
The conference that was organised by ADET (P) LTD, Agence Française de Développement, The World Bank , Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation, NORRAG, and the International Labour Organization, aimed to promote quality, innovation, and transitions to formality within the African apprenticeship system.
What were the general key findings in the conference:
- Informal apprenticeship in Africa prevails, which has been understudied despite its importance in skills development and passing on trades and professions from generation to generation. While the number of learners in informal apprenticeship far exceeds that in formal skills development or VET systems, government funding is very rarely directed towards it.
- Policymakers and international development partners increasingly recognize the value of informal apprenticeships in the informal economy and include them in national skills development policies and strategies. Reforms in a number of African countries have aimed to upgrade informal apprenticeships and strengthen their contribution to national skills development systems.
You want to know more? Take a look at the Background Note: https://lnkd.in/eCG_XA94
We look forward to seeing the implementation of the knowledge gained from this workshop for a better future of work in Africa.