Stakeholders align to strengthen TVET through the Skills for Youth Employability, Entrepreneurship and Empowerment (S4YEEE) Programme

Public and private sector stakeholders in the Kingdom of Eswatini on 27 November 2025 convened for a critical alignment session aimed at strengthening the country’s Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) sector. The stakeholders convened through the Skills for Youth Employability, Entrepreneurship and Empowerment (S4YEEE) Programme; a flagship multi-donor action set to transform Eswatini’s TVET landscape. 

The programme is jointly co-financed by the European Union (€14 million) and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ – €1 million) and is implemented by GIZ, with the EU Delegation (EUD) acting as Contracting Authority and providing strategic oversight. The total investment of €15 million reflects a strong commitment to reversing the country’s skills deficit and reshaping pathways for young people, especially women and disadvantaged groups. This aligns with the EU in Eswatini’s priority areas which are Human Development and Social Inclusion with a focus on skills development, youth and employability among others.

“This collaborative effort directly responds to the urgent need to address youth unemployment, and we are confident the programme will deliver tangible, long-lasting results. We are grateful to the two partner ministries: Ministry of Labour and Social Security and the Ministry of Education and Training, for their leadership and the fruitful discussions that have shaped this important engagement,” said EU’s Head of Cooperation, Eva-Maria Engdahl. 

The session, held in Ezulwini, Eswatini, marked the first formal engagement with the GFA Consulting Group GmbH consulting team and their local counterparts from Catalyze, setting the tone for a collaborative approach to tackling Eswatini’s youth unemployment challenge.

Discussions centred on understanding existing gaps in the TVET system, identifying priority sectors for skills development and aligning training opportunities with the evolving demands of the labour market. Stakeholders from government institutions, industry leaders, training providers, civil society and development partners in Eswatini shared insights on the current challenges facing young people and explored pathways to build a more inclusive, future-ready workforce.

“The country has already demonstrated its commitment through initiatives such as the national skills drive and participation in WorldSkills Eswatini, particularly in support of young people and those from disadvantaged backgrounds. As we look ahead to the 2026 engagements, we sincerely appreciate the European Union’s investment of resources and continued partnership in advancing this vision. This collaboration is a testament to our shared values and our joint commitment to improving TVET for the benefit of all Emaswati. We are confident that this partnership will continue to flourish and contribute meaningfully to unlocking the potential of Eswatini’s youth and accelerating national progress,” Nompumelelo Dlamini, Ministry of Labour and Social Security. 
 

The programme aims to enhance employability, stimulate entrepreneurship and empower youth through improved access to relevant, market-driven skills. By strengthening institutional capacity within the TVET space, S4YEEE is expected to play a significant role in equipping young people with the tools needed to succeed in both formal employment and self-employment.

“One of the critical questions we must continue to ask is: where do the rest of our students go? Too many young people are still falling through the cracks, yet the labour market is clear about the skills it urgently needs. This is why the transformation of our TVET system is so important. It must be adapted to meet the real needs of the country, align education and training with academic outcomes, and respond to future market demands. Achieving this will require a restructured, flexible and responsive TVET system — one that places greater emphasis on on-the-job training, accredited certification and strong, practical linkages with key industries. We stand ready to provide access, support and collaboration across institutions and stakeholders, so that no young person with potential is left behind.” —Thembinkosi Mamba (representing the Principal Secretary), Ministry of Education and Training.
 

Participants emphasised the importance of a coordinated, multi-stakeholder approach, one that connects policy, education and the private sector, to unlock sustainable economic opportunities for youth in Eswatini. The S4YEEE Programme continues to build momentum as partners work together to design a skills ecosystem that is responsive, inclusive and rooted in Eswatini’s development priorities.

“Our focus is on creating real pathways to decent employment, self-employment and entrepreneurship for young people and women in the Kingdom of Eswatini. While there is strong potential within the TVET sector, there are also systematic challenges that need to be addressed, from governance and coordination to accreditation, course relevance and staff capacity. Through the S4YEEE Programme, our technical team will work closely with institutions and government counterparts to strengthen structures for effective governance, introduce key work packages, conduct capacity assessments, and support the development of new and relevant course material. Central to this is deepening private sector involvement, ensuring that young people are not only trained, but also absorbed into meaningful work through work-based learning schemes, job placements and entrepreneurship support,” echoed Gavin Watson, GIZ Project Lead for S4YEEE.
 

As implementation moves forward, continued engagement between stakeholders will be key to ensuring lasting impact — not only for today’s youth, but for generations to come.