Project description

Title: Promoting technical and vocational education and training (TVET) and SME development in Lebanon
Commissioned by: German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ)
Country: Lebanon
Lead executing agency: Ministry for Education and Higher Education (MEHE); Federation of the Chambers of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture
Overall term: 2007 to 2014

Context

When we think of Lebanon, we automatically conjure up images of civil war and destruction. The way in which the country is perceived internationally has largely been influenced by the military conflict which lasted till 1990, and the July War in 2006.

In addition to the devastating effects on society, these events have been very damaging for the economy. The Lebanese economy is also affected by increased competition from foreign manufacturers, including countries from the European Union and Mediterranean region, which makes economic reconstruction and development even more difficult. Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in particular bear the brunt. SMEs account for 95 percent of Lebanese industry, and are the country's largest employer. There is a lack of job opportunities for young adults and semi-skilled employees. At the same time, demand is growing for well-trained specialists and middle management. Education and training therefore play a key role in the Lebanon’s economic development. Like other education and training systems in the MENA region, the Lebanese system is outdated and out of touch with current practices. Vocational training is too theoretical. On the one hand, the private sector finds it difficult to recruit skilled young professionals, yet on the other, it is only prepared to play a minor role in their training. The poor public perception of vocational training for trades and industry means that young people have little interest in pursuing a career in these areas.

Objective

The number of skilled experts employed in the supported professions and qualifications has increased.

Approach

Public and private-sector institutions in Lebanon plan to work together to shape cooperative vocational training. GIZ plays a supporting role through its programme to promote the dual system, master tradespersons and small and medium enterprises (DSME programme). It advises the Ministry for Education and Higher Education and the Federation of the Chambers and works with regional chambers and associations, and with training colleges and companies.

GIZ development workers work in some of the vocational training colleges. GIZ helps Lebanon to implement the dual training system in eight occupations in industries, trades and tourism services. Together with its partners, it also provides training for master tradespersons, currently in four professions. It helps run campaigns to inform young people about the education, training and labour market, and aims to raise their interest and that of employers in vocational training for skilled occupations.

Teacher training constitutes another focus, to ensure good training standards in the long term.

GIZ brings together partners and institutions from the public and private sectors. Cooperative (dual) training can only be shaped by pulling together, making the necessary adjustments and setting the legal framework.

Expanding cooperative vocational training will increase the workload of employees in the institutions involved, to include new responsibilities, procedures and negotiation processes. GIZ trains, advises and supports personnel during this transition, to enable them to carry out their new tasks in the demand-oriented vocational training sector reliably and competently.

Results achieved so far

28 public and private schools now offer initial cooperative vocational training in eight occupations, based on the dual system. Demand is on the rise: in the 2010/2011 school year, approx. 1,680 young people underwent dual training and more than 650 companies offered apprenticeship positions. About two-thirds of the qualified apprentices found a job straight away or decided to study further.

Eight schools also offer further training for master tradespersons in four different occupations. To date, 170 participants have passed their examinations in this field.

The dual training system and master tradesperson qualification are both state-accredited and mainstreamed in legislation. The Ministry for Education awards certificates to candidates who successfully complete the required examinations.

In 2011, the teacher training institution IPNET ran the first training course specifically for teaching staff working in the dual system. Since 2010, the regional chambers of commerce have been inviting local vocational training schools and company representatives to round table discussions aimed at identifying and addressing common challenges in vocational training and economic development.

The Ministry, vocational training schools and other state and private institutions are launching marketing campaigns to promote the dual system and master tradespersons training programme, using opening days, awards for the top apprentice mechanic of the year and providing information through different media.

Further information

• Promotion of Vocational Education and SME development
  http://www.dsme-lb.com