Introduction
A big percentage of youth and women in Puntland regions, especially IDP settlements have little skills or no skills at all, given that youth in the Puntland regions have consistently borne the brunt of the protracted conflict for the third generation now, when they enter the job market, their likelihood of finding a job is very minimal, this scenario has left a lot of youth and women with no other option but to engage in crimes and other social upheavals like piracy, conflicts, illegal and risky migration as the only solution to their challenges, as Salaam Development Centre (SDC) we believe that vocational skills interventions will go along away in addressing the problem; When youth and women are imparted with skills and given an opportunity to engage in small business and entrepreneurship through provision of grants, this will go a long way in self-reliance and employment.
In the research done by DRC and WFP in 2014, it indicated that over 70% of FFT/VFT graduates takes a maximum of 5 months to secure a job, meaning that the skills studied are marketable and relevant to the current job market. In addition to the core skills studied, complementary courses such as numeracy and literacy, mobile repairing, electricity, Computer, TV, entrepreneurship, book-keeping, marketing and customer relations increases graduates’ chances of finding jobs (Marketable vocational skills assessment in Bosaso Somalia, January 2014, DRC/WFP).
Salaam Development centre in collaboration with ministry of education organized a forum which aimed at discussing youths/women empowering on vocational Skills and keeping them out of risks, by breaking the cycle of vulnerability through instilling them with skills and training, that will enable them to have a successfully/desirable life as a way of eradicating poverty in Somalia and restraining them from taking part in crime and conflicts.
Objectives:
- To discuss how to improve and strengthen the quality, availability and perception of vocational skill training in Puntland.
- To supports development of Puntland vocational education and training (VET) policies and contribute to its implementation.
- Enhance the public’s awareness and information on vocational education and training
- Describe how the Puntland formal and informal education system relate to vocational education and training (VET)
- Establishing mechanisms to improve vocational education and training (VET)
Methodology:
- Interactive discussions supported by PowerPoint presentations
- Round table analysis and experiences.
- Presentations,
- Debates and discussions,
- Brainstorming,
- Direct questions
Agenda for the training session
- Registration, Introduction and expectations of the training
- Reading Quran
- Speech on behalf of Salaam Development Centre
- Chief Guest remarks, Ministry of education (MOE) and vice-Ministry of education
- Roles that skills play development of the state and economic growth
- Description of types of skill curriculums exist in Puntland
- Debate and discussions
- Group work and presentations
- Overall comments and recommendations
- Final session – Concluding Remarks and Feedback:
- Closure- Founder member
The training started at 6:20 PM with a welcome note followed by participant introductions, registration and their expectations from the training.
- Session Module 1: Official opening and welcoming of the participants.
The meeting was opened by Mr. Mohammed Shiine who is also the SDC board member; he welcomed all the participants to the training and outlined the training benefits, objectives and general over view, he also took the participants through the operations and activities of SDC in line with vocational and skills training, he urged the participants for the assistance in ensuring the vocational projects across the region succeed and youth benefits from it.
The training was officially opened Ministry of education (MOE), he thanked SDC for organizing such a great training, where stakeholders can be educated and sensitize on vocational education and training (VET) and its benefits to the families and a country as a whole, he promised that the ministry will continue to do its best in supporting the vocational education and training (VET) at all times.
He also added that, the ministry of education of Puntland recognized the technical vocational education and training sector for contributing to the occupational proficiency through the inculcation of appropriate skills and training in the development and application of indigenous technology.
- Session Module 2: Presentation (vocational education and training (VET) role in development of a state and its economic growth)
Mr. A.rahman Khalif Mohed , highlighted the benefits and impact of vocational education and training (VET) on the economy and development of a country.
He said that, the level of economic development notwithstanding, partner governments in Puntland, Somaliland and Central South Somalia need to formulate and execute appropriate systems and policies that can effectively guide and facilitate the growth of the private sector within agreed national development priorities. Still, in spite of the efforts of the international community, weak coordination and fragmented implementation of actions has not supported the effective growth of the TVET sector.
He reiterated that vocational education and training (VET) will help Somalia in-:
- Increasing ability to compete with other economies
- Increased attractiveness of the labor force to foreign investors
- Potential for economic growth
- Consistency in national training provisions
- A better guarantee of available skill sets in the labor force
- Greater labor force planning options
- Clear benchmark to assure and evaluate quality of training available nationally basis for competence-based qualifications
On an individual level: he said vocational education and training (VET) increases mobility on work, education and training, more so, relevant education and training provisions and qualifications Improves flexibility and competitive advantage to guarantee” of capability in contribution to Human Resources Management and Development processes (e.g. job descriptions, job evaluation, performance appraisal and career progression.
- Session Module 3: Description and types of skills curriculums that exist in Puntland.
Director of ministry of education Mr. Abdulahi, took the participants through a presentation courtesy Of MOE, he highlighted that the choice of skills training is not always guided by the needs of the market but by need to ‘address all needs’ by projects whose scope is too small to warrant a meaningful undertakings. He said that Puntland, Somaliland and Central south Somalia do not have standardized curriculum or syllabi for TVET.
There is also no standardized system for TVET assessment, examination and certification and the only standardized curriculum available but not being used in most of the TVET centres is the UNESCO PEER developed curriculum [1].
He urged the participants and all the stakeholders to the issue seriously and that the matter should be of an urgent interventions.
He reminded the participants that Puntland state is committed to participating in the competitive global market economy, which requires technical and professional citizens trained in the “ability to learn” and in specific occupations.
More so, he said, TVET policy draft and the draft of VQA bill are in place, the vocational qualification framework is in place too but is yet to be implemented and that the four public centers of Galkacyo, Bossaso, Gardho and Garowe were supported with construction and TVET equipment and as ministry the recently carried labor market survey.
He recommended that only qualified TVET instructors should be hired; need to Strengthen/upgrade existing TVET centres, the need to cconstruct of a model technical Secondary School.
On curriculum, he suggested that, there is in need to introduce on-the-job-training components across all TVET programmes: where TVET provision will be designed to include a mixed practical classroom/on-the-job (OTJ) model. As such, all training delivery will include at least 50% on-the-job training (as measured by contact hours) and the need to develop and Harmonize TVET Curricula across all levels.
- Session Module 4: Questions and Answer sessions
A brainstorming session was conducted on how to carry out assessment; on such dimensions as the importance and necessity of vocational education and training (VET) for development and economic transformation of any society and nation.
Also the participants brainstormed on the types of skills that the region is in a dire need, and the following skills were mention adversely-:
- Plumber, pipefitter
- Electrician
- Brick making
- Brick mason
- Carpenter
- Mechanic ( diesel and Auto mechanic )
- Welder
- Hair styling / Beauty Salon
Question and Answers session took a centre stage, where question were asked by both the facilitator and by the participants.
Clips and various presentations were also used in addressing various questions raised.
Overall comments and recommendations:
The training workshop went very well, which is also evident from the participants’ feedback. The variety of excellent pool of experience from various individuals and other participants made the session participatory and brought diversity to the group work. The training venue and logistical support was up to the mark.
The number of participants to a manageable level is always a vital contributing factor in creating an environment conducive to any kind of training. In this case the number was up to the standards for a training workshop, and also the spacious training venue and round table settings proved very effective in keeping the participants actively involved during the sessions and group work.
It’s advisable that this kind of trainings should be held more often.
Final session – Concluding Remarks and Feedback:
Workshop was closed by remarks from various participants followed by the concluding remarks of Mr. Abdiffitah Sugulle, SDC founder. He thanked MOE and all the participants for their participation and reiterated that SDC organizational is commitment to continue working with all stakeholders in ensuring that vocational education and training (VET) plays a pivotal role in the transformation of Puntland and Somalia as a whole. His remarks were followed by a group photo session and the forum was officially closed at 9:00 PM.
List of Participants
100 individuals from governments’ agencies and institutions including other key stakeholders as detailed below:
- 5 individuals representing the business community
- 5 representatives ofchamber of commerce
- 5Vocational education and training (VET) providers
- Representatives from 5Universities
- 5Women representatives
- 5 Youth representatives
- 5 MOE representatives
- 2 Ministry of Information representatives
- 3 MOWDAFA representatives
- 3Ministry of Youth representatives
- 3Garowe Municipality representatives
- 4Governor of Nugaal Region
- 50 Students and youth groups
Date & Venue
Gobsoor Hall Garowe on 20 July 2017