Equipping Trainers to Transform Africa’s National Skills Systems
The WorldSkills Africa Capacity Building Programme launched in seven African countries, strengthening national skills training systems and helping adapt international standards to local contexts. The programme introduces a scalable assessment framework, aligning technical and vocational education and training delivery with global standards while embracing the unique training needs of Africa.
WorldSkills Africa, African Union Development Agency (AUDA-NEPAD), WorldSkills International, TVETA Zambia, and GIZ on behalf of Germany, joined forces to support the growth of skills training across Africa through the WorldSkills Africa Capacity Building Programme. This Africa-led initiative provided practical support for experts, trainers, and policymakers, helping them strengthen their national skills training systems and adapt international standards to local contexts.
Participants from Ethiopia, Malawi, Namibia, Rwanda, South Africa, Zambia, and Zimbabwe took part in a variety of activities, including designing a flexible assessment framework, attending online and in-person training sessions, and taking part in a final showcase in Lusaka.
As part of the hands-on learning experience, activities such as the Hairdressing and Plumbing tracks allowed participants to work closely with experts on test projects, use marking schemes, and take part in guided peer assessments. These practical exercises helped them understand how training and evaluation can closely reflect real-world industry standards.
A key innovation of the programme was the introduction of the WorldSkills Africa Assessment Framework. This tool links Africa’s TVET outputs to the WorldSkills Occupational Standards while allowing countries to adapt assessment approaches to their own training environments. By using the framework, Experts can measure achievement gaps, enhance learning and strengthen progression pathways in a way that is both globally informed and locally grounded.
Evidence from the programme demonstrates clear and measurable impact. All participating experts reported a significantly improved understanding of the Assessment Framework and the WorldSkills tools. 92% of participants noted greatly improved technical skills, and all participants highlighted the value of peer learning and continuous mentorship. 100% of Experts indicated they would recommend the programme to others, signaling strong demand for broader uptake.
The initiative also strengthened national system-level thinking. Member states indicated their intention to integrate the Assessment Framework into curriculum and assessment standards, use it to benchmark national occupational pathways, and cascade the training through Training of Trainers programmes. Delegates expressed strong support for expanding the model, noting that permanent and predictable capacity building would help countries budget, plan and scale participation.
For Skills Initiative for Africa (SIFA) and AUDA -NEPAD, this collaboration reinforces the broader goal of building resilient, agile and employment-oriented TVET ecosystems across the continent.
National skills strategies must align with labour market needs while supporting innovation and emerging technologies. Initiatives such as the WorldSkills Africa Capacity Building Programme are therefore essential, ensuring that trainers have the right tools to prepare young people for future industries.
The strong results, combined with the enthusiasm of Member member Statesstates, demonstrate that the programme offers a replicable and scalable model for strengthening TVET systems. By raising the competencies of educators, Africa raises the opportunities available to its youth, positioning skills development as a driver of both national and continental growth.