UNIDO, Sweden, Volvo Group, and Epiroc Unveil Skilled Employment Project in DRC
The United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), in collaboration with the Government of the Democratic Republic of Congo, the Government of Sweden, as well as the companies Volvo Group and Epiroc, jointly launched the Training Support Project and Skilled Employment (PAFEQ) during a ceremony held at the National Institute of Professional Preparation (INPP) in Lubumbashi.
This partnership aims to facilitate access for young Congolese to qualified employment opportunities in the maintenance of heavy machinery and commercial vehicles, skills in high demand in the Haut-Katanga province.
PAFEQ aims to bring about systemic change by improving coordination between companies and public organizations involved in professional training.
“This initiative represents an innovative model of partnership between the private and public sectors to stimulate the creation of decent jobs for young Congolese and promote more inclusive economic and social development,” said Jean Bakole, regional director of the UNIDO for Central and West Africa.
The Congolese Government, represented in particular by Claudine Ndusi M’kembe, Minister of Employment, Labor and Social Welfare, welcomed this public-private partnership which is part of its strategy to combat youth unemployment.
“Investing in key sectors such as the maintenance of heavy machinery offers young Congolese the means to develop relevant skills and access the job market,” underlined the minister.
The commitment of Sweden, which finances the project, was reaffirmed during the official launch. “Sweden is proud to support this project which will enable Congolese youth to acquire the skills and competencies they need to flourish in their personal and professional lives.
We also welcome this public-private partnership for socio-development. -economic of the DRC between Sweden, Swedish companies (Volvo and Epiroc), UNIDO, the Ministries of Employment, Labor and Social Welfare, Primary, Secondary and Technical Education, and the “Industry.
This makes this project an excellent example of cooperation between the public and private sectors,” said Henric Råsbrant, Swedish Ambassador to the DRC.
As part of this five-year project, specialized training programs will be designed and offered in the mining provinces of the South-East of the DRC, before potentially being extended to other provinces of the country.
Two training centers, the National Institute of Professional Preparation of Lubumbashi in Haut-Katanga and the Industrial Technical Institute of Manika (ITIMA) of Kolwezi in the province of Lualaba, will be associated with the launch of this new training offer.
The project also aims to strengthen their capacities so that they can offer training that meets the needs of local businesses, thereby improving the employability of young people in the region.
