Canada, Inc’s CSR Effort in Africa Focuses on Vocational Training

The Canadian government has launched a new Skills for Employment initiative that will help developing countries, especially in Africa, build a skilled workforce necessary for economic growth.

The CDN$95 million initiative will strengthen local training institutions in partnership with Canadian community colleges and enable students to acquire the quality vocational and technical skills needed for productive employment.

It will support vocational and technical training projects mainly in Africa, Asia and the Americas. This new funding comes in addition to the $140 million annual average that CIDA invests in vocational training.

“In developing countries, for those living in poverty to succeed, basic education is only the first step. They also need training, skills and a chance for meaningful employment to live productive lives,” said Beverley J. Oda, Minister of International Cooperation, on the launch.

“A skilled workforce will strengthen the foundation of businesses and industries as well as enhance the community’s social stability”.

“Canada has the tools to provide the necessary know-how and help develop a qualified workforce in developing countries around the world. That’s what the Skills for Employment initiative aims to do.”

The first component of the Skills for Employment initiative, an investment of $22.3 million, will support countries in Africa, focused on Senegal, Tanzania, Mozambique, Namibia, Democratic Republic of Congo, Niger, Rwanda, Burkina Faso and South Africa.

This support will help train over 2,000 individuals and result in qualified, certified trades and technical workers.

Canada, through its international development arm, CIDA,  has in recent years increased its commitment to provide relevant and sustainable development assistance in the area of technical and vocational education and training (TVET) through the Skills for Employment initiative.

Many developing country governments believe that strong, relevant technical and vocational education and training programs with solid links to the labour market will contribute to social stability and inclusion, poverty reduction, and sustainable economic development.

The end goal of the Skills for Employment initiative is to significantly increase the number of young men and women in skilled positions and meaningful employment.

The Skills for Employment initiative will help implement national policies and structures and competency-based training programs that will benefit over 2,000 individuals and generate qualified, certified trades and technical workers for the target sectors in these countries.

Source: PR Canada.net

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