TVET serves a productive response to challenges-says Prof Maga
Professor Abdoulaye Waga, the Director of the ECOWAS Commission from Abuja, Nigeria has revealed that Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) is a productive response to challenges, enabling learners to acquire practical skills and competencies that meet the present and future needs of the labor market.
That in such, it is an avenue for promoting development of nations, social cohesion, enhance security, poverty reduction and regional integration.
Professor Waga made these remarks on behalf Alieu Oumar Touray, the president of the Commission at the opening of a three-day ECOWAS forum on TVET Stakeholders’ forum on the draft action plan for the implementation of the ECOWAS TVET strategy for skills improvement and employability (ETSSIE).
The forum was organized by the ECOWAS Commission in partnership with TVET experts from the member states such as UNESCO, FOSDA and OXFAM and others.
The forum was held at the Kairaba Beach Hotel in Banjul the Gambia which expects to have results to be based on the ECOWAS TVET strategy to be validated for implementation.
Also on specific challenges related to the COVID-19 pandemic and measures for adjusting and adapting the action plan are identified and documented.
To monitor and evaluate mechanisms to ensure effective and sustainable implementation of the action plan in the post-pandemic context are clearly defined and integrated into the draft Action Plan and collaboration between ECOWAS member states and partners is strengthened.
Director Maga further pointed out that they are aware of the fact that unemployment has become a major factor in fuelling social crisis and conflict, resilience and rebellion, terrorism and crime, and general political instability in the region, where many sectors vital to development are experiencing skills shortages, while at the same time unemployment rates keep increasing.
He advanced that the ECOWAS Commission over the years conducted series of activities on its TVET Program which dovetailed into the development of the ECOWAS for Skills Improvement and Employability (ETSSIE).
He pointed that the forum was meant to deliberate and validate the draft Action Plan for the implementation of the ECOWAS TVET Strategy for Skills Improvement and Employability (ETSSIE).
He said their goal is to validate the draft Action Plan by specifically adding value to the content, highlight related challenges and propose adaptive solutions, devising monitoring and evaluation mechanisms for the post-pandemic context, and, of course, fostering collaboration, knowledge exchange, and the incubation of innovative ideas.
He noted that the outcomes of their discussions will chart the course for ECOWAS’ progress, ensuring that their collective aspirations are translated into actionable plans that foster development, inclusivity, and sustainability.
