81308421-Implementing measures to ensure a successful matching of cooperative TVET programs with the needs of the private sector

Benin has a young population of 13.4 million. With an annual demographic growth rate of 2.7 % (2022), 42 % of the population is under 15. Every year, around 200,000 young people join the labour market. Despite economic growth of around 6 % per year (2017-2022), the labour market is not in a position to offer qualified employment to all young people. 84 % of the workforce works in precarious conditions in the informal business sector. And 72 % of the workforce (92 % of young people aged 15 to 24) is underemployed in terms of income or working hours. The result is a high poverty rate of 49.6 % and a highly unequal distribution of income (Gini coefficient of 0.48) (World Bank 2022). The TVET system is not sufficiently capable of preparing young people for the labour market. The number of students registered in technical and vocational education and training (TVET) is low compared to the number of students in general secondary education. Currently, 30,000 young people, 31 % of whom are women, are enrolled in formal TVET, corresponding to 3.8 % of all secondary school students. The low enrolment in TVET can be explained by the lack of formal training opportunities of this type, the high entry requirements, the lack of information among families about the needs of the labour market, and the high fees for trainees" families. Recognising the constraints of the national TVET system, the government has adopted a National Strategy for TVET 2020 - 2030, which aims for higher quality of technical and vocational skills and qualifications in priority sectors of the country's economy. The government is also committed to enhance the governance of the system, the modernisation of curricula and the certification of apprenticeships. In this way, it aims to contribute to the structural transformation of the economy as reflected in the Government Action Programme PAG2 (2021-2024). The Federal Republic of Germany is supporting Benin in the operationalization of the reform of its vocational training system through, among other initiatives, the "Promotion of vocational training" Project (ProFoP). The project aims to improve the institutional framework for a formal vocational training offer aligned with the needs of the local economy. To this end, it encourages the establishment of systematic cooperative relationships between state structures in charge of vocational training and the private sector, as well as the piloting of cooperative training approaches in selected sectors. The project measures support practical, inclusive vocational training that meets the needs of the national economy. In this way, they contribute to increasing opportunities for decent employment and secure income, particularly for women. The module is structured around four main outputs: Output 1 aims to strengthen the steering and implementation capacities of public and private sector structures involved in the governance and coordination of vocational training . Output 2 aims to improve cooperation mechanisms between state and private-sector players in the field of dual vocational training. Output 3 is aimed at piloting dual vocational training provision in the selected sectors of renewable energies, agriculture, IT and other prospective sectors, which are relevant to the labour market. This means that parts of the training are carried out in a company. Output 4 aims to improve career guidance, training support and integration measures for young people, particularly women and disadvantaged groups.