Vocational skills training plays a crucial role in the development of emerging countries such as the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). By providing employability training opportunities in areas such as carpentry, tailoring, leatherwork and tanning, these programs can help young Congolese start their own small businesses across the country.
However, it is regrettable to note that these professions are not sufficiently valued in the DRC. This situation, according to many observers, fully prevents the exploitation of the economic and entrepreneurial potential of the Congolese population.
To better understand the importance of vocational skills training in the DRC, we interviewed Professor Paul Tete Wersey, Vice-President of the Board of Directors, and Taty Bikamba, National Coordinator of ASBL BAYEKOLI. They share their expertise and analysis on the issue.
According to Professor Wersey, vocational skills training is essential to promote the economic autonomy of young Congolese. By giving them the necessary skills to create their own small production units, these training courses reduce unemployment and stimulate local economic development. Moreover, they offer a viable alternative to economic migration, encouraging young people to exploit the opportunities that exist in their own country.
However, many challenges remain. Taty Bikamba points out that the lack of institutional recognition and support is a major obstacle to the development of these training courses in the DRC. It is essential to put in place government policies and programs aimed at enhancing and promoting these trades, by encouraging the creation of specialized training centers and facilitating access to financing for entrepreneurs.
It is also essential to make the Congolese population aware of the importance of these trades and to change mentalities about their value. Vocational skills training offers concrete opportunities for employment and economic development, and it is necessary to recognize them as such.
In conclusion, vocational skills training is an essential lever for the economic development of the DRC. By investing in the education and training of young Congolese, we can stimulate local entrepreneurship, reduce unemployment and promote sustainable economic development. It is time to promote these professions and support their development in order to allow the Congolese population to fully seize the opportunities available to them