The Skills Initiative For Africa (SIFA)/Auda-Nepad project in collaboration with GIZ, on 28 November hosted 40–45 visitors from various African countries and Europe for a tour of the ACRA (Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration Academy) in Johannesburg, due to its status as a SIFA-recognised Centre of Excellence for all Africa.
Cheryl James and Helene Scarpentier of SIFA, responsible for technical and finance issues respectively, were in attendance at the tour. Image supplied by RACA Journal
Cheryl James and Helene Scarpentier of SIFA, responsible for technical and finance issues respectively, were in attendance at the tour.
James described the genesis of the project, tracing its origin to 2018 in Germany. “The partnership, conceived during Dr. Dlamini Zuma’s tenure at the African Union Commission, aimed to tackle the pressing issue of unemployment among Africa’s youth and the simultaneous scarcity of skilled professionals.” James highlighted the project’s dual components: the funding arm managed by KfW and the technical component overseen by GRC (both German acronyms).
Scarpentier described the funding component, known as the Skills Initiative for Africa Funding, involving grants provided to companies in eight African countries, including Tunisia, Togo, Ghana, Ethiopia, Nigeria, Cameroon, Kenya and South Africa. “These grants, managed through KfW, play a pivotal role in building and enhancing infrastructure to support skills development.”
James emphasised the pivotal role played by the technical component managed by GRC, which collaborates closely with the African Union Commission. “The focus of this component is on shaping policy at the continental level. Notably, the project contributed to the creation of an African Continental Qualification Framework. This framework facilitates the recognition of qualifications across borders, aligning with the goals of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement.”
One of the primary challenges addressed by SIFA is the mismatch between the skills taught by technical and vocational institutions and the needs of the labour market. James stressed the importance of training for employability rather than merely employment. The project aims to bridge this gap by engaging with the private sector to understand their needs and tailor-training programmes accordingly.
Source
By Eamonn Ryan
