WorldSkills Africa

On the 17th of February 2024, a historic moment unfolded at the 37th Assembly of the Heads of State and Government of the African Union as WorldSkills Africa was officially launched. This groundbreaking initiative, dedicated to advancing Vocational Education and Training (VET) across the continent, marked a pivotal milestone for skills development.

WorldSkills Africa’s Impact on Vocational Education and Training:

The official launch, hosted in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, during the annual summit discussing the future of regional and continental development, received praise from Mrs Nardos Bekele Thomas, Chief Executive Officer of the African Union Development Agency (AUDA-NEPAD). She hailed it as a flagship initiative to implement the objectives of the Continental TVET strategy, emphasizing the crucial role of skills in achieving the goals of Agenda 2063 for a prosperous and inclusive society and economy.

Mr Hakainde Hichilema, President of Zambia, echoed the sentiment, describing it as a strategic platform to nurture and showcase young people’s skills and talent. He highlighted its role as a catalyst for continental cooperation, fostering partnerships and knowledge exchange that transcend borders. The next WorldSkills Africa Competition is scheduled for 2025 in Livingstone, Zambia.

AUDA-NEPAD’s Role and Future Steps:

AUDA-NEPAD will serve as the Secretariat, mobilizing African countries to become members of this regional platform for skills. The launch was witnessed by Heads of State, government officials, policy makers, industry leaders, and representatives from the African Union Commission (AUC), AUDA-NEPAD, and the WorldSkills community.

Prof Mohammed Belhocine, Commissioner Education Science Technology and Innovation at the African Union Commission, congratulated AUDA-NEPAD for implementing decisions that align with improving links between Vocational Education and Training and market demands across the region. He called on African countries to leverage this platform for exchanging best practices and benchmarking.

WorldSkills Africa and 2024 Theme:

The launch coincided with the African Union’s declaration of the 2024 theme: “Educate an African fit for the 21st Century: Building resilient education systems for increased access to inclusive, lifelong, quality, and relevant learning in Africa.” Chris Humphries, Chair of WorldSkills, expressed confidence that it would help reshape VET systems to support economic growth and productivity.

FAQs – WorldSkills Africa:

1. What is WorldSkills Africa?

WorldSkills Africa is an initiative launched to advance Vocational Education and Training (VET) across the African continent.

2. When was WorldSkills Africa officially launched?

WorldSkills Africa was officially launched on Saturday, 17 February 2024, during the 37th Assembly of the Heads of State and Government of the African Union in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

3. Where did the official launch of WorldSkills Africa take place?

The official launch occurred in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, at the annual summit, which serves as a platform for discussing the future of regional and continental development.

4. How does WorldSkills Africa relate to Agenda 2063?

WorldSkills Africa aligns closely with Agenda 2063, a visionary framework for Africa’s future development. It particularly resonates with Aspiration 6 of Agenda 2063, which aims to create a people-driven Africa by harnessing the talents of all Africans, especially women and youth.

The official launch of WorldSkills Africa, five years after the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding in 2019, underscores Africa’s commitment to sustainable development and inclusive growth, in line with the aspirations of Agenda 2063. The call for more African Union Member States to join WorldSkills Africa emphasizes the collective effort to transform VET systems and elevate the continent’s skilled workforce on the global stage.