Guinea Validates Quality Apprenticeship Strategy

The closing ceremony was chaired by the Minister of Technical Education, Vocational Training, and Employment, underscoring the political and institutional importance attached to this initiative.

Developed through a participatory and tripartite process, the strategy presents an integrated vision that addresses both dual apprenticeship schemes in close partnership with enterprises, and the improvement of traditional apprenticeship systems, particularly within the informal economy, where a significant portion of Guinean youth acquire skills.

In his closing remarks, the ILO representative praised the commitment of the Guinean government, employers, and workers to developing this strategic framework. He emphasized that this initiative is part of the commitments under the Decent Work Country Programme (DWCP) signed in February 2025 and supports the objectives of the Simandou 2040 programme, by equipping Guinea with a qualified workforce to meet the needs of large-scale economic projects.

The validated strategy also draws on the orientations of ILO Recommendation 208 on quality apprenticeships, adopted in 2023, which outlines the foundations for a quality apprenticeship system:

• Accessibility for all youth, including the most vulnerable;
• Equal opportunities between women and men;
• Alignment between training and the realities of the labour market;
• A solid legal framework;
• The central role of tripartite dialogue at every stage of the strategy;
• The need to ensure decent working conditions for apprentices;
• Recognition of skills acquired, both formally and informally.

The workshop allowed participants to collectively review the contents of the strategy and its action plan, propose adjustments, and strengthen stakeholder ownership. Participants also emphasized the importance of an intersectoral approach, as demonstrated by the joint involvement of the Ministry of Employment and other relevant sectoral departments, and the active participation of social partners and civil society.

The workshop concluded with a call to mobilize all actors, public institutions, the private sector, trade unions, and development partners, to translate this strategy into concrete and sustainable actions that will support youth employment and national economic development.