National Seminar on Vocational Training in Agriculture and Fisheries in Tunisia

Vocational training in agriculture and fisheries in Tunisia was the theme of a national seminar organized by the Agricultural Extension and Training Agency with several financial and technical partners, including FAO in Tunisia. Also taking part were the Ministry of Agriculture, Hydraulic Resources and Fisheries and the Ministry of Vocational Training and Employment.

Mr Samir Al-Tayeb, Minister of Agriculture, Hydraulic Resources and Fisheries, said that vocational training in agriculture and fisheries is very important because of the critical role it plays in developing skilled workers in these two vital areas and its ability to keep young people in rural areas. Vocational training provides knowledge that emanates from research developments and interacts with institutions of higher education, scientific research, technical centers and professional organizations.

During his participation, Mr. Michael Hage, Coordinator of FAO for North Africa and Representative for Tunisia said in his speech that a joint reflection is necessary for better adaptation of vocational training to the requirements and emerging needs of the labor market in agriculture and fisheries in order to promote better access for young people in rural areas to the knowledge and skills needed to seize scarce opportunities for productive and decent employment.

To this end, it was pointed out that in its program of intervention in Tunisia FAO places an important significance on the training and national capacity building component, in order to ensure a transfer of techniques and technologies developed by FAO and to contribute to changing agricultural production systems towards more efficient and sustainable modes. In this respect, the Organization has developed several pedagogical approaches, most adapted to the theme of this seminar in view of its great success in Tunisia namely: the approach of the schools of agriculture and learning for life for young people. An innovative approach that provides vulnerable rural youth with the skills they will need in agriculture, business and life in order to live decent lives and participate more actively and productively in the life of their communities.

It is in this perspective that the Practical Schools of Agriculture and Life Learning for Young People was initiated in Tunisia during the implementation of a project on the promotion of agricultural microenterprise for young people in rural areas. More than 300 young people, 50 percent men and 50 percent women, gathered in 13 associations, benefited from this training approach.

This training method is based and guided by a facilitator who teaches participants about topics and techniques related to agriculture and business management which they can then reuse in their daily lives. Moreover, thanks to the flexibility and adaptability of the approach, each facilitator can define the specific content of the training he will conduct according to local needs. Through its support and awareness activities, FAO is working to create a supportive environment in which young people can be equipped and seize employment opportunities in rural areas.