The Africa Skills Week (ASW) 2024, aimed at bringing together leaders and innovators in skills development from across the continent, has been officially launched in Accra.
Hosted by the Government of Ghana and organised by the African Union, this year’s event is on the theme “Skills and Jobs for the 21st Century: Quality Skills Development for Sustainable Employability in Africa.”
The exhibition, set to take place from October 14 to 18, 2024, is anticipated to draw leaders from the African Union Commission, Ministers of Education from African Union member states, representatives from the International Labour Organization (ILO), and other stakeholders.
Speaking at the launch in Accra, Dr. Fred Kyei Asamoah, Director General of the Commission for Technical Vocational Education and Training (CTVET), said that Ghana’s hosting of the event underscored the government’s commitment to Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) as a vital driver of national development.
He noted that the conference reaffirmed the confidence of the African Union and its partners in Ghana’s TVET ecosystem, adding that Africa Skills Week 2024 would focus on equipping young people with the skills necessary to succeed in a rapidly changing global economy.
“As the theme for this week suggests, we are not only looking at enhancing employability but also building entrepreneurship and economic resilience across Africa. With youth unemployment being one of the greatest challenges on the continent, we have a duty to ensure that TVET becomes a solution to this problem” he said.
Dr Asamoah also explained that the ASW would provide a platform for TVET institutions to connect and collaborate with industries, help to align skills training to market needs and ensure that graduates are better informed for job roles and opportunities.
He mentioned that the event would provide a platform for employers, skilled professionals, and job seekers to connect, creating direct recruitment opportunities for youth, particularly through the “Youth Pavilion” included in the programme agenda.
Dr. Asamoah also explained that the week would bring together stakeholders from both the supply and demand sides of the labour market to address challenges and opportunities related to enhancing youth skills and employability across the continent.
He stressed the importance of prioritizing transformative actions in education as part of the broader goal of empowering Africa’s youthful population.
“All these stakeholders will unite by a shared goal: to harness the power of skills development for economic transformation and job creation. As we come together in this space, let us remember that what we are doing is more than just discussing skills — we are shaping the future of our continent.,” he said.
African Skills Week would also push for policies that promote TVET, skill development and job creation, encouraging governments and organizations to invest in skill-building initiatives leading to policy advocacy.
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