Senegal Approves Policy Boosting Youth Jobs, Growth

The workshop, held in Dakar by the Ministry of Employment, Vocational Training and Technical Education, with the support of the International Labour Organization (ILO), brought together over 80 participants from public institutions, social partners, civil society, and development partners.

Chaired by the Chief of Staff of the Minister of Employment, Vocational and Technical Training, the validation ceremony highlighted Senegal's strong political commitment to establishing a coherent strategic framework to strengthen the quality and attractiveness of apprenticeships.

Developed through a participatory and tripartite approach, the policy presents an integrated and renewed vision of vocational apprenticeship, while promoting traditional apprenticeship, which remains particularly prevalent in the informal sector, a key training path for many young Senegalese..

The National Policy is based on the principles of the ILO Recommendation No. 208 on Quality Apprenticeships, adopted in 2023, which sets out the foundations for an inclusive and effective apprenticeship system, namely:

• Accessibility for all, including the most vulnerable;
• Equal opportunities between women and men;
• Alignment of training with labour market needs;
• A solid legal framework ensuring decent working conditions for apprentices;
• Tripartite dialogue and recognition of skills acquired through formal and informal learning.

The discussions allowed participants to collectively review the content of the policy, make adjustments, and strengthen the ownership of institutional and socio-economic actors.

The ILO, through its Global Skills Programme supported by the Government of Norway, supported the development and validation process of this policy, helping align national approaches with international best practices.

In his remarks, the ILO representative commended the commitment of the government, employers, and workers to promote inclusive and quality apprenticeships, which serve as a powerful driver for youth employment and national competitiveness.

The workshop concluded with a call for the mobilization of all public, private, social partners and development partners to translate this policy into concrete and sustainable actions that benefit young people's employment opportunities.

This validation represents a decisive milestone towards implementing a modern, inclusive, and market-oriented Senegalese apprenticeship model, thereby contributing to strengthening human capital and supporting the country's economic development.