Tunisia and Germany Strengthen Partnership to Boost Youth Employment and Skill Development

During a meeting in Tunis on March 5, Tunisian Minister of Employment and Vocational Training Lotfi Dhieb and German Ambassador to Tunisia Peter Prügel discussed the enhancement of partnership programmes aimed at increasing employment opportunities for young tertiary graduates through vocational retraining. This initiative is designed to meet the demand for specialized skills in promising sectors. The focus was on continuing successful projects and prioritizing areas such as renewable energy, environmental protection, and waste recycling.

Strengthening Bilateral Cooperation

The two countries agreed to solidify the partnership between the National Agency for Employment and Self-Employment (ANETI) and its German counterpart. This collaboration aims to establish joint degree courses and improve vocational training centres in both countries to better satisfy the skill requirements of German companies. Additionally, they planned to share experiences in distance learning engineering and initiate discussions on these topics promptly.

Results and Future Directions

Minister Lotfi Dhieb praised the level of cooperation with Germany, highlighting the significant outcomes of their joint partnership programmes. These efforts are aligned with the government's agenda to build human resource skills, enhance young people's employability, foster entrepreneurship, and economically empower vulnerable groups. German Ambassador Peter Prügel commended the quality of Tunisian skills, noting their contribution to enhancing the competitiveness of economic enterprises. He reaffirmed Germany's commitment to ongoing collaboration with Tunisia to improve the national vocational training system, reduce unemployment, and address irregular migration by providing organized international employment opportunities.

Expanding Opportunities in Key Sectors

Emphasis was placed on prioritizing programmes in sectors with high growth potential, such as renewables, the environment, and waste recycling. This strategic focus is expected to not only address the immediate needs for specialized skills but also to contribute to sustainable development and environmental conservation efforts in both countries.

The partnership between Tunisia and Germany represents a significant step forward in addressing the challenges of youth unemployment and skill mismatches in the labor market. By focusing on vocational training and education in high-demand sectors, the two countries are laying the groundwork for a future where young graduates are better equipped to meet the needs of the global economy. This collaborative effort not only benefits the individuals involved but also contributes to the broader economic and environmental goals of both nations.