In a recent gathering, chiefs and artisans from the Vavoua department in Cote d'Ivoire's Haut-Sassandra region urged the government to establish an agency of the National Vocational Training Agency (AGEFOP). The proposed agency aims to provide accessible vocational training and enhance employment prospects for local youths. This appeal was made during a sensitization meeting on the Passeport-compétences program, organized by AGEFOP in the region.
The president of the Vavoua departmental bureau of the Chamber of Trades, Diarrassouba Ben, emphasized that an AGEFOP agency in Vavoua would enable unemployed graduates and informal sector artisans to upgrade their skills and obtain professional certifications. This, he believes, would significantly boost their employability and contribute to the region's economic growth.
Séry Djémia Jacque, the chief of the central canton, noted that the presence of an AGEFOP agency in Vavoua would facilitate tailored training programs that address local labor market needs. This, he argued, would help mitigate youth unemployment and associated security risks in the area. The chief's sentiments align with the concerns of the local population regarding the need for targeted interventions to address unemployment.
Kouakou Kouassi André Eugène, the secretary general of the prefecture, highlighted the importance of decentralizing vocational training structures to reach a wider audience. Given the department's extensive territory and significant population of over 4,400 inhabitants, as per the 2024 General Census of Population and Housing (RGPH), he stressed that establishing an AGEFOP agency in Vavoua would be a step in the right direction.
The AGEFOP campaign in the Haut-Sassandra region commenced on September 28, 2026, with a series of sensitization meetings on the Passeport-compétences program. This initiative seeks to equip youths with relevant skills and competencies, enhancing their prospects of securing employment or engaging in entrepreneurial activities.
Local stakeholders believe that an AGEFOP agency in Vavoua would not only provide vocational training but also help bridge the gap between the skills acquired by youths and the needs of the labor market. This, they argue, would have a positive impact on the region's socioeconomic development and improve the overall well-being of its inhabitants.
The proposal to establish an AGEFOP agency in Vavoua has garnered significant support from local leaders and artisans, who see it as a vital step towards addressing the region's unemployment challenges. As the government considers this appeal, the people of Vavoua department remain hopeful that their quest for accessible vocational training will soon be realized.
Key points
- Establishing an AGEFOP agency in Vavoua would provide accessible vocational training and enhance employment prospects for local youths.
- The proposed agency would enable unemployed graduates and informal sector artisans to upgrade their skills and obtain professional certifications.
- The presence of an AGEFOP agency in Vavoua would facilitate tailored training programs that address local labor market needs, helping to mitigate youth unemployment and associated security risks.
