Africa Skills Week 2024: A catalyst for skills development across the continent

Africa Skills Week (ASW) aims to catalyse significant action towards enhancing the systems, processes, and policies that govern skills development across the continent.

This initiative seeks to ensure that Africans are well-equipped to adapt to the evolving demands of the 21st-century workplace.

The African Union (AU) intends to institutionalise ASW as part of its broader Agenda 2063 blueprint, aiming to build resilient and transformative education and skills ecosystems throughout Africa.

The Need for a Continental Initiative

The urgency for such a continent-wide intervention is underscored by key strategic frameworks, including the Continental Education Strategy for Africa (CESA 2016-2025), the Continental Strategy for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 4, which focuses on ensuring quality education for all.

With Africa’s working-age population expected to triple by 2050, the continent is poised to create an unparalleled talent pool as its population becomes increasingly educated. The AU recognises the critical need to enhance educational and career opportunities for Africa’s burgeoning young workforce.

Integrating education and skills development with employment opportunities is vital for Africa’s economic prosperity, particularly regarding the demand for TVET skills.

ASW aims to promote policy action and share best practices among leaders and innovators across the continent.

Objectives of Africa Skills Week 2024

The objectives of Africa Skills Week 2024 include:

Strengthening TVET Systems: Foster collaboration among key stakeholders to enhance the effectiveness of TVET systems across Africa.

Promoting Private Sector Engagement: Encourage involvement from the private sector in developing sustainable and industry-relevant skills.

Highlighting Green Skills and Sustainability: Emphasise the importance of green skills and innovation in preparing the future workforce.

Showcasing Best Practices: Present success stories and best practices from TVET institutions across the continent.

Facilitating Policy Dialogues: Engage in discussions to shape the future of Africa’s workforce, addressing the challenges of a rapidly changing global economy.

Key Activities of Africa Skills Week

Africa Skills Week will feature a range of activities designed to engage stakeholders and promote knowledge sharing:

1. High-Level Opening Session: The conference will kick off with a high-level session involving government officials from the host country, senior representatives from the African Union Commission and AUDA-NEPAD, as well as other partner organisations.

2. Policy Dialogues and Peer Learning Forums: ASW will convene policymakers, practitioners, employers, development partners, civil society organisations, and youth to discuss priorities, challenges, and opportunities in skills development.

3. Thematic Workshops and Seminars: Participants will be invited to contribute to workshops focusing on themes such as TVET governance, digitalisation, fragile contexts in TVET, apprenticeships, entrepreneurship, migration, green skills, and inclusive TVET.

These sessions will include presentations, panel discussions, and interactive elements.

4. Skills Exhibition: The skills week will showcase innovative projects, technologies, and initiatives in skills development through a virtual or physical exhibition, offering participants hands-on experiences and networking opportunities.

An awards ceremony will recognise exceptional achievements in skills development as part of the Innovating Education in Africa 2024 program.

5. Youth Summit: Engaging young people will be a priority, featuring youth-led sessions, competitions, hackathons, and career fairs aimed at inspiring and empowering the youth while connecting them with mentors and employment opportunities.

6. Study Tours: Participants will have the opportunity to visit specific skills development institutions and industries, gaining firsthand insights into successful practices and solutions.

7. Country-Level Actions: Member States will undertake skills development and employment-focused initiatives to commemorate ASW, with the AU mapping these actions and encouraging the sharing of country-specific events.

Key Participants

The event will attract a diverse group of participants, including:

African Union (AU)
African Union Development Agency-NEPAD (AUDA-NEPAD)
International Labour Organisation (ILO)
– UNESCO
GIZ (German Corporation for International Cooperation)
– World Bank
Government of Ghana
Commission for TVET, Ghana
Minister of Education, Ghana
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ghana
Other key stakeholders

Africa Skills Week 2024 represents a vital step towards enhancing skills development across Africa.

By fostering collaboration among stakeholders and emphasising the integration of education with employment opportunities, ASW aims to prepare Africa’s workforce for the challenges and opportunities of the future.