On October 5, 2026, Mauritania's Minister of Vocational Training and Traditional Industry and Handicrafts, Mohamed Moulay Ould Ayeh, conducted a field visit to several vocational training institutions in Nouakchott. The visit aimed to assess the readiness of these institutions to start the 2026-2027 academic year and to inspect the conditions for the new students. The minister visited the Industrial Technical and Vocational Training School in Nouakchott, the National Higher Institute of Technical Education, and the Technical and Vocational Training School in the construction and public works sector in the Riyadh district.
During his visit, the minister also monitored the ongoing competition for admission to vocational and technical schools for the new academic year. He stated that the start of the new academic year coincides with the final stage of exams for admission to vocational training institutions, specifically the Certificate of Professional Competence (CAP), as well as the competition for entry into the first year of secondary technical education in mechanical engineering and electrical engineering specialties.
According to the minister, around 5,000 students are participating in these competitions, competing for 2,600 training seats. He added that the current academic year will witness an expansion in the capacity of vocational training institutions, with the number of seats increasing from approximately 23,000 last year to around 25,000 this year.
The minister highlighted that for the first time, the new academic year begins with the existence of the National Agency for Vocational Training, which is expected to play a role in enhancing the performance of sector institutions and accelerating the implementation of the National Vocational Training Strategy. He also emphasized the improvement of the alignment of training programs with labor market needs.
The minister reviewed the sector's efforts to improve the quality of training, citing a program that enabled several training institutions to obtain the international quality certificate ISO 21001 last year. He expressed hope that more institutions will join this path during the current academic year.
The minister reaffirmed his commitment to continuing the implementation of the National Strategy aimed at fulfilling President Mohamed Ould Cheikh El Ghazouani's pledge to train 115,000 young people in various vocational fields by 2029. He stressed that the ministry will continue to work with various ministerial sectors and the private sector to take measures to implement the president's call to action.
The minister was accompanied by several ministry advisors and staff during the visit, and was received at various stops by the governors of Nouakchott West and South. The visit demonstrates the government's efforts to prioritize vocational training and address youth unemployment in Mauritania.
Key points
- The Mauritanian government is expanding vocational training capacity, increasing available seats from 23,000 to 25,000.
- The National Agency for Vocational Training will play a key role in enhancing sector performance and aligning training programs with labor market needs.
- The government aims to train 115,000 young people in various vocational fields by 2029.
