The integration rate of graduates from Tunisia's vocational training system into the job market is approximately 70% three years after graduation. This was announced by Minister of Employment and Vocational Training, Riadh Chaoud, in response to a written question from Deputy Asma Drouwish. Chaoud's response, published on the website of the Assembly of People's Representatives, highlights the ministry's efforts to align vocational training with labor market needs.
The integration rate varies depending on the field of study, ranging from 80 to 90% in areas such as construction, tourism, transportation, equipment maintenance, and mechanics. According to the minister, job offers registered with employment offices and independent work confirm that the most in-demand fields are primarily in industry, particularly electronics, electricity, restaurants, hotels, transportation, and logistics.
The most sought-after skills include heavy vehicle driving, crane operation, cooking, floor management, and room cleaning. Conversely, data from the National Employment and Independent Work Agency shows that nearly 80% of university graduates seeking employment received their degrees before 2022. The majority of these graduates are in fields such as foreign languages, arts, crafts, law, journalism, documentation, history, philosophy, life sciences, physical sciences, and mathematics.
These fields are considered to be facing significant challenges in the job market. The Ministry of Employment and Vocational Training monitors the professional integration of graduates from both vocational training and higher education systems using administrative records and statistical data, as well as regular field surveys. The results indicate that unemployment rates remain higher among university graduates compared to those with vocational training.
To address this issue, the ministry is working to align vocational training offers with economic development needs and planned projects and investments. This is achieved through a participatory approach that involves monitoring the evolution of professions and required skills. A vigilance and foresight system has been established to identify emerging and future labor market needs and adjust training programs accordingly.
The system is based on diagnosing the needs of economic institutions for skills and competencies, as well as conducting sectoral studies on the evolution of professions and specialties. This helps identify priority professions and direct efforts towards developing vocational training offers that meet national economic needs and regional requirements.
The ministry is also working to activate regional committees for vocational training, which are responsible for identifying specific needs for each region and proposing suitable training programs. Additionally, partnerships with professional organizations and economic institutions are being developed through sectoral agreements and joint training programs, aiming to improve the employability of graduates.
Key points
- The integration rate of graduates from Tunisia's vocational training system into the job market is approximately 70% three years after graduation.
- The most in-demand fields are primarily in industry, particularly electronics, electricity, restaurants, hotels, transportation, and logistics.
- The ministry is working to align vocational training offers with economic development needs and planned projects and investments.
