Tunisia has launched the first Steering Committee of its national Vocational Training Programme, a flagship bilateral initiative developed in partnership with UNIDO and supported by the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation(AICS). The committee is chaired by Tunisia’s Minister of Employment and Vocational Training, Riadh Chaoued.
The context: The programme comes at a sensitive moment for Tunisia, as the country faces rising unemployment—especially among young people—a growing mismatch between training and labour market needs, and mounting migration pressures.
The big picture: The Tunisian Vocational Training Programme is one of the most concrete operational tools of Italy’s Mattei Plan for Africa, which aims to promote balanced partnerships based on development, investment and job creation in countries of origin.
- Italy sees vocational training as a structural response to the root causes of irregular migration, rather than a short-term containment strategy.
Who’s involved: The Steering Committee includes national and regional representatives, institutional and economic stakeholders, and private-sector partners, among them:
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- the Tunisian Union of Industry, Trade and Handicrafts (UTICA),
- the Ministry of Economy and Planning,
- the Tunisian Federation of Hotels,
- the Tourism Training Agency,
- and AICS.
What the programme aims to do:
- Turn vocational training into a real engine of economic growth
- Align skills with labour market demand
- Create sustainable employment opportunities for young people
Priority sectors: The programme focuses on strategic sectors for both the Tunisian and international markets, including:
- agri-food industries
- mechanics
- textiles and clothing
- tourism
Funding: Italy has allocated €6.5 million, approved in June 2025. The funding covers:
- upgrading vocational training centres in tourism, construction, and public works
- training in machinery operation and maintenance
- modern teaching tools, including simulators
- infrastructure improvements
- digitalisation of learning pathways
Private sector role: Strengthening partnerships with the private sector is a central pillar, aimed at ensuring training relevance and easing young people’s integration into the labour market.
Italy’s view: Rome considers the programme a model of outcome-driven cooperation, fully aligned with the Mattei Plan’s objective of addressing migration drivers through tangible economic opportunities.
Civil society: Through AICS, Italy is also supporting the involvement of civil society organisations, launching calls to fund local projects—particularly in dual training, entrepreneurship and start-up support.
What’s next: The Steering Committee stressed the need to accelerate the definition of the implementation plan and delivery timeline to ensure concrete results in the short term.
Engaging youth: The programme also aims to boost the attractiveness of vocational training through innovative initiatives, including cultural and sports activities.
