WorldSkills Africa Desk Launched to Empower Youth and Enhance Skills Development in Africa
On the sidelines of the 37th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the African Union, the WorldSkills Africa Desk was co-launched, marking a significant step towards enhancing skills development across the continent.
The launch, facilitated by AUDA-NEPAD, follows the announcement of this year’s 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.”
Hon. Felix Mutati, Minister of Technology and Science, and Hon. Douglas Syakalima, Minister of Education, were present at the inauguration of the WorldSkills Africa Desk.
Speaking on the occasion, Hon. Mutati emphasized the importance of skills development in empowering youth with lifelong tools for self-empowerment, job creation, and economic transformation, positioning Africa prominently on the global stage.
In his statement, Hon. Mutati highlighted Zambia’s efforts to address issues of access to quality education through various strategies, including infrastructure expansion, green field projects, and decentralization initiatives.
He emphasized Zambia’s commitment to enhancing the quality of Technical Education, Vocational and Entrepreneurship Training (TEVET) through the procurement of state-of-the-art equipment and standardizing skills provision.
Furthermore, Zambia has secured the rights to host the WorldSkills Africa – WSA Livingstone 2025 Competition and Conference, aiming to create a sustainable culture of skills acquisition in the country.
This event will elevate the profile of youth employability and explore self-employment opportunities for the youth, calling upon industry, the private sector, and cooperating partners to support this endeavor.
In conclusion, Hon. Mutati outlined Zambia’s vision to establish the host institution, LIBES, as a Centre of Excellence in learning beyond 2025, signaling the country’s long-term commitment to skills development and education.
The launch of the WorldSkills Africa Desk signifies a collaborative effort towards empowering Africa’s youth and fostering economic growth through skills development and education, reflecting the continent’s determination to create a brighter future for its people.
