ILO Urges Collaboration on Quality Apprenticeships in Malawi
The adoption of R208 at the 111th ILO session in Geneva, Switzerland, in June 2023, reflects a global commitment to strengthening apprenticeship programs.
MANGOCHI, Malawi — The International Labour Organization (ILO) is calling for collaboration and dialogue among stakeholders in Malawi to improve the quality of apprenticeship programs, aiming to address youth unemployment and boost the economy, writes Lewis Msasa.
"Quality apprenticeships based on social dialogue supported by a vibrant regulatory framework could contribute to lowering youth unemployment rates, reducing skills mismatch and enhancing the productivity and competitiveness of enterprises," said Patrick Makondesa, ILO National Programme Coordinator.
Makondesa's remarks came at the conclusion of a three-day stakeholder awareness meeting in Mangochi on Thursday, focusing on the ILO's 2023 Quality Apprenticeships Recommendation (R208).
The recommendation emphasizes the importance of collaboration among governments, employers, and workers in developing and implementing quality apprenticeship programs.
These programs are seen as a crucial tool for equipping young people with the skills needed to find decent work and contribute to national development.
Alice Vozza, ILO Skills and Lifelong Specialist, co-facilitated the meeting and highlighted the need for increased awareness about R208.
"There is need for more awareness raising at all levels to improve the image and attractiveness of quality apprenticeships by highlighting success stories, among others," she said.
Representatives from various stakeholder groups participated in the discussions, including the Employers Consultative Association of Malawi (ECAM) and the Technical, Entrepreneurial and Vocational Education and Training Authority (TEVETA).
Ellen Ziwoya, Communications and Projects Officer at ECAM, emphasized the importance of continuous dialogue.
"There is need for continuous social dialogue through various forums to facilitate policy change and foster collaboration," she said.
Ziwoya further stressed the need for employers to recognize the value of apprenticeships, stating, "Employers should understand apprenticeship as a culture one has to pass through to attain relevant skill on the job."
Modesto Gomani, Director of Training Programmes at TEVETA, welcomed the meeting's timing, as his organization is currently spearheading the review of the national apprenticeship program.
"The meeting had come at the right time when his organization was spearheading the review of the apprenticeship programme," he said.
The meeting in Mangochi aligns with a broader initiative by the ILO.
In a separate development, ILO Assistant Director General, Mia Seppo, urged member countries to develop action plans and report back on how they are implementing R208.
Speaking virtually at a Skills Fair in Turin, Italy, Seppo highlighted the importance of proper funding mechanisms for apprenticeship programs, ensuring "it is delivered in a manner that leaves no one behind."
The participants in the Mangochi meeting also had the opportunity to join the Skills Fair virtually, allowing them to learn from the experiences of other member countries in implementing quality apprenticeship programs.
The adoption of R208 at the 111th ILO session in Geneva, Switzerland, in June 2023, reflects a global commitment to strengthening apprenticeship programs.
The recommendation emphasizes the need to prevent and eliminate exploitation, discrimination, violence, and harassment against apprentices, and to provide adequate and effective remedies in case of violations.