Strengthening apprenticeship systems in the informal economy in Africa to promote quality, innovation and transitions to formality

Workshop objectives

The workshop aimed to support policy dialogue and contribute technical reflections on preserving and upgrading existing apprenticeship systems in the informal economy. Its goal was to promote quality, innovation, economic development, social justice, and transitions to formality. More effective apprenticeship systems, capacity, and innovation at the local level were expected to trigger a process of structural transformation leading to more inclusive development.

The workshop took place in Benin, in collaboration with ADET (the Agency for the Development of Technical Education), the French Development Agency (AFD), the World Bank, the Swiss Development and Cooperation Department (SDC), the Network for International Policy and Cooperation in Education and Training (NORRAG), and the International Labor Organization (ILO). It showcased the advances made in Benin, fostered collaboration with other countries, established Benin as a knowledge hub on the inclusion of apprenticeship within national training systems in Africa, and stimulated dialogue in other countries through knowledge sharing and exchange of experience.

More specifically, the workshop aimed at:

·       Sharing knowledge and experience of policies and practices from Benin and beyond to strengthen apprenticeship systems in the informal economy in the African region, identifying decent work deficits and avenues to address them.

·       Reflecting on recent research and studies on understanding apprenticeship systems and assessing the impact of interventions and policies.

·       Comparing innovative approaches and lessons learned from partnerships between crafts and business associations, parents and workers’ associations, governments, and non-governmental actors aiming to promote quality and dynamism in informal apprenticeship systems and transitions to formality.

·       Informing about a new global Recommendation on Apprenticeships discussed at the International Labour Conference in June 2023.

·       Identifying areas and topics for further research at the national and sector level to analyze trends, assess policy impacts, and explore the potential for system strengthening, enterprise and sector development, and the role of apprenticeships in structural transformations.

·       Making Benin a hub in the sub-region for planning a multi-country program to strengthen apprenticeship systems in the informal economy for a better future of work.

The expected outcomes of the workshop were:

·       A selection of good practices from the region on the modernization of informal apprenticeship and its integration into national training and skills development systems.

·       Evidence-based recommendations in line with the AU Agenda 2063.

·       Thematic research questions and topics of interest to several countries to inform a regional agenda.

Participants

Participants included experts, representatives of governments, employers and workers’ organizations, crafts associations and their federations from selected countries in Africa, other international skills development experts, and interested development partners.

Languages

The workshop was conducted in both English and French.