The Paradox of Employment in Tunisia
11 July 2013
Read by 1780 persons
Many sectors complain of a shortage of skilled labor, despite a significant increase in Tunisia's unemployment rate, reaching 16.5%. Among these sectors, the construction and public works sector is mainly cited. A study conducted by the Tunisian Center for Monitoring and Economic Intelligence (CTVIE) showed that 13,000 employees were missing in this sector.
In this situation, several companies have been threatened with closure due to a lack of skilled labor.
For Taleb Abid, head of the National Federation of Construction, the main problem is employability and integration, stating that "a majority of young people trained in vocational training centers did not meet the needs of businesses".
In an interview with Africanmanager, he indicated that vocational training centers should find jobs for their trainees. However, this is not currently the case.
How to do it?
In order to remedy the shortcomings, work has been carried out in collaboration with the Tunisian Agency for Vocational Training based on governance, which, according to him, should allow Tunisian companies to get involved in the vocational training system by giving their point of view on training programs, training materials and training of trainers, considered a key element of the system. "As soon as professionals get involved in this system, there will be a moral commitment on their part to welcome young entrepreneurs at the end of their studies," assured Taleb Abid, indicating that "this is the primary objective of all the actors involved in order to guarantee adequate training and better employability of young graduates".
Labeling, the key word of this revolution
Labeling remains the key concept for meeting this major challenge. This means ensuring quality training that will comply with the expectations of the job market.
To do this, a visit was made to five centers of the building network and a diagnosis was made, thus detecting many shortcomings, namely a shortage of equipment and limited training of trainers. In addition to this, there are the issues of management and incompatibility of sectors.
Similarly, an action plan has been put in place to remedy this situation. This work was carried out by an expanded technical team which proceeded to the inventory of existing equipment with the possibility of acquiring new equipment.
Emphasis was also placed on training information and guidance counselors to improve communication, as well as developers and center directors, so that they adopt new concepts: "governance" and "the new management mode".
For what added value?
The objective is to create an internationally-oriented training platform capable of placing a young, dynamic and qualified Tunisian workforce on the local market, mastering new technologies while contributing to improving the competitiveness of Tunisian companies.
According to our interviewee, this challenge can be met thanks to partnership programs with the two French federations (National Federation of Construction and the National Federation of Construction and Public Works Entrepreneurs).
Twinning protocols have been strengthened in this respect. Moreover, a partnership agreement was recently signed between the Reims vocational training center and the Ben Arous building training center. Other Tunisian centers will sign this type of protocol at the end of 2013 and the beginning of 2014. "We want to encourage exchanges of trainees and technical information while allowing Tunisian centers to benefit from technology," explained Taleb Abid before adding that "two new websites have been set up for the two French federations, including the necessary information on our Tunisian companies and our partners. This is certainly a time saver, but we also want to facilitate young people's access to information relating to vocational training".
In conclusion, Taleb Abid considers that it is a first that professionals in the field are involved in vocational training related to construction, a potential sector that employs more than 450,000 people.
Wiem Thebti.
Africanmanager.com
Published on June 30, 2013.
Posted online on July 11, 2013.
In this situation, several companies have been threatened with closure due to a lack of skilled labor.
For Taleb Abid, head of the National Federation of Construction, the main problem is employability and integration, stating that "a majority of young people trained in vocational training centers did not meet the needs of businesses".
In an interview with Africanmanager, he indicated that vocational training centers should find jobs for their trainees. However, this is not currently the case.
How to do it?
In order to remedy the shortcomings, work has been carried out in collaboration with the Tunisian Agency for Vocational Training based on governance, which, according to him, should allow Tunisian companies to get involved in the vocational training system by giving their point of view on training programs, training materials and training of trainers, considered a key element of the system. "As soon as professionals get involved in this system, there will be a moral commitment on their part to welcome young entrepreneurs at the end of their studies," assured Taleb Abid, indicating that "this is the primary objective of all the actors involved in order to guarantee adequate training and better employability of young graduates".
Labeling, the key word of this revolution
Labeling remains the key concept for meeting this major challenge. This means ensuring quality training that will comply with the expectations of the job market.
To do this, a visit was made to five centers of the building network and a diagnosis was made, thus detecting many shortcomings, namely a shortage of equipment and limited training of trainers. In addition to this, there are the issues of management and incompatibility of sectors.
Similarly, an action plan has been put in place to remedy this situation. This work was carried out by an expanded technical team which proceeded to the inventory of existing equipment with the possibility of acquiring new equipment.
Emphasis was also placed on training information and guidance counselors to improve communication, as well as developers and center directors, so that they adopt new concepts: "governance" and "the new management mode".
For what added value?
The objective is to create an internationally-oriented training platform capable of placing a young, dynamic and qualified Tunisian workforce on the local market, mastering new technologies while contributing to improving the competitiveness of Tunisian companies.
According to our interviewee, this challenge can be met thanks to partnership programs with the two French federations (National Federation of Construction and the National Federation of Construction and Public Works Entrepreneurs).
Twinning protocols have been strengthened in this respect. Moreover, a partnership agreement was recently signed between the Reims vocational training center and the Ben Arous building training center. Other Tunisian centers will sign this type of protocol at the end of 2013 and the beginning of 2014. "We want to encourage exchanges of trainees and technical information while allowing Tunisian centers to benefit from technology," explained Taleb Abid before adding that "two new websites have been set up for the two French federations, including the necessary information on our Tunisian companies and our partners. This is certainly a time saver, but we also want to facilitate young people's access to information relating to vocational training".
In conclusion, Taleb Abid considers that it is a first that professionals in the field are involved in vocational training related to construction, a potential sector that employs more than 450,000 people.
Wiem Thebti.
Africanmanager.com
Published on June 30, 2013.
Posted online on July 11, 2013.
