Skills Training for Employment

Opportunities in Somaliland- Finding sustainable ways

out of poverty

Skills Training project(s)

SCD has been involved in votacional education and skills training in Somaliland, Puntland and Central/South Somalia since 2005.

Currently, two projects active financed by the EC and a new project financed by the Danish Embassy in Kenya.

SCD works in partnership with international NGOs, government institutions, private enterprises and youth networks.

Objectives

• Overall: Improve livelihood of untrained and unemployed disadvantaged persons in Puntland, Somaliland and Central/South Somalia and thus reduce their vulnerability.

• Specific: Sustainable opportunities for (self-) employment created for 5100 youth, persons with disabilities, IDPs, returnees and ex-militia with equal gender composition through linking skills training and employment promotion in Puntland, Somaliland and the northern part of Central/South Somalia.

Target groups

5,100 participants in Technical, Vocational Education Training (TVET) and Employment Promotion Services (EPS) with equal gender composition. 1,360 participants in Functional Literacy/Numeracy.

10% persons with disabilities

60% youth including school drop out, untrained IDP youth and returnees

10% ex-militia

20% from minority clans

Activities• Upgrading of 5 Institution-Based Technical, Vocational

Education Training (TVET) centres.• 83 host trainers/enterprises assessed, selected,

inducted and involved in Enterprise-Based TVET.• Training of 5,100 participants under TVET and 1,360

participants under FAL.• Two EPS centres made operational• Local Labour Market survey to be conducted• Local Economic Development studies to be undertaken• Eight TVET syllabi materials developed and translated

to Somali• TVET and EPS departments established and

strengthened in the ministries

TVET Centre in Berbera, SomalilandCurrently, 53.8% of all IBTVET participants are women. In EBTVET, the gender balance is even. After the first year, 2,165 participants are part of the project (42% of target).

Trainee in mechanics undertaking his apprenticeshipA total of 38 enterprises selected in Somaliland have taken 495 IBTVET participants. Integrated employment advisory services provided to 1,223 trainees.

Trainee in Accounting in SomalilandCapacity development of local partners including MOE and IBTVET centres conducted on recordkeeping, financial management, cost-recovery system, etc.

Challenges

• Security risks high

• Financial sustainability of government TVET institutions in Somaliland, Puntland and Central/South Somalia

• Difficult to get female TVET instructors

• Involvement of employers and industry representatives in the development of occupational standards

• Nepotism still a factor in employment

Lessons Learned Tracer study conducted in October 2008 for

graduates under the previous TVSD project showed 70.1% employment rate (73.4% for females and 67.4% for males). => demand-driven, practical courses through IBTVET/EBTVET works!

Practical, competency-based and short training courses lead to low drop-out rates from IBTVET/EBTVET. However, once the trainee is motivated into her/his skills development, more advanced skills training courses should be offered.

Conclusion

Relevance of training

Employment opportunities

Social analysis and flexibility