The YEM project builds capacity of Tunisian economic actors to develop prospective scenarios

The National Observatory of Employment and Skills (ONEQ) of Tunisia, with the support of UNESCO in the context of the project Youth Employment in the Mediterranean (YEM), funded by the European Union, organized the second capacity-building seminar on the development of prospective scenarios in Tunis on April 17 and 18, 2019.

The implementation of these exercises together with the main economic sectors of Tunisia aims to complement the skills forecasting model developed as part of the previous project NET-MED Youth, funded by the European Union, with a qualitative prospective analysis. The combined use of these tools aims to strengthen the Tunisian vocational training system through a forecast of the job demand of the labor market. Based on these forecasts, Tunisia will be able to set up training and qualification programs for young people that meet the future requirements of the labor market. The YEM project aims to involve economic actors in the discussion about the development of the sectors about the challenges that are linked to the economic context. This will make it possible to identify levers that are likely to have a tangible impact on job creation and the demand for skills.

Ms Nouha Dallagi, General Secretary of Fenatex, participant in the YEM seminar, explains the nature of these challenges and the interest of the work carried out by this exercise:

« One of the main challenges of the textile-clothing sector in Tunisia is to move from subcontracting to co-contracting and finished products. Companies must be able to offer comprehensive know-how and integrate the value chain perfectly. For that, it is necessary that the raw material becomes more accessible in order to have a large impact on job creation.

Another challenge is the lack of advanced skills of the workforce, which needs tailored training in specialized and niche sectors.

Lastly, transversal skills, which are too often neglected, are essential and our young people must learn how to sell and to communicate.

This exercise, which began last July, has great potential for improving vocational training, making it more relevant to the needs of businesses. Other scenarios were developed under the leadership of ONEQ and based on discussions with professionals from different sectors. For the textile sector, in particular, the scenario of promoting a social and solidarity-based economy can reduce production costs. »

The next steps, in the context of YEM, include an in-depth and prospective analysis of two pilot sectors by ONEQ, as well as a second Tunisian skills projection exercise, in coordination with all stakeholders of the National Platform.