The Role of Vocational Training in Promoting the Economic Freedom of Women and Youths in Cameroon

By Chefor Ngwenyi Meungwe (Download Pdf)

Introduction

The economic freedom of women and youths in Cameroon remains a pressing concern, as they continue to face significant barriers to gain full employment and self-sufficiency. With youth unemployment estimated at 40% of the active population (Mengue 2023), it is clear that traditional education pathways are not providing the necessary skills to secure employment. Women, in particular, face entrenched gender discrimination, limiting their access to opportunities and perpetuating their economic dependence. Meanwhile, youths lack the vocational skills required to compete in the job market, rendering them vulnerable to unemployment and economic instability. Despite these challenges, vocational training programs have been touted as a potential solution, providing individuals with practical skills tailored to specific occupations and industries. However, past efforts have fallen short in addressing the unique needs of women and youth, with many programs failing to provide sector-specific skills, such as crop management, software development, and nursing, that are in high demand in the labor market. As a result, the economic freedom of these groups remains elusive, and it is imperative that new approaches are developed to address these issues and promote inclusive economic growth in Cameroon. In addition to the limited access to vocational training programs, the quality of training provided is also a major concern.

Many vocational training programs in Cameroon have limited resources and infrastructure to provide hands-on training, resulting in graduates who are not adequately prepared to enter the workforce. Moreover, the training curricula often fail to keep pace with the changing demands of the labor market, leaving graduates with skills that are not relevant to the needs of employers. For example, the rapid growth of the technology sector in Cameroon has created a high demand for skills in areas such as cybersecurity and artificial intelligence, but many vocational training programs have not adapted to meet this demand. To address these challenges, it is essential to invest in the development of high-quality vocational training programs that are responsive to the needs of the labor market and provide graduates with the skills and knowledge required to succeed in their chosen careers This comprehensive policy paper undertakes an in-depth examination of the pivotal challenges confronting women and youth in vocational education, meticulously assessing their far-reaching implications on economic participation and employability, and subsequently presents a set of targeted, actionable recommendations aimed at bolstering vocational education outcomes, ultimately fostering a more inclusive and equitable socio-economic landscape in Cameroon.

Challenges for Women and Youth in Vocational Education

1. Limited Access for Women

In Cameroon, cultural practices and traditional gender roles play a significant role in shaping the career choices and opportunities available to women. The country’s patriarchal society often assigns women to domestic and caregiving roles, limiting their participation in vocational training and education. As a result, societal and structural barriers hinder Cameroonian women’s ability to pursue vocational training, despite the opportunity to do so. According to World Bank estimates (2021), only 25% of women enroll in vocational programs, compared to 40% of men (Donkor, 2021). This disparity is further exacerbated by the fact that women are often confined to low-paid jobs such as sewing or hairdressing, while being excluded from higher-paid sectors like construction, technology, and manufacturing. In addition, financial constraints disproportionately affect women, particularly in rural areas, where opportunities for vocational training are limited. A 2022 study by the United Nations Development Programme estimates that only 30% of rural areas in Cameroon have such facilities, compounding the problem (Mengue 2023).

2. The Mismatch Between Education and Industry Needs

For young people, the main problem is the mismatch between vocational training programmes and labour market needs. A report by the International Labour Organization, (Grimshaw2020) concludes that 60% of young graduates from vocational programmes are not prepared for today’s labour market and many end up unqualified or unskilled to work in today’s companies. These skills mismatch contribute to persistently high levels of youth unemployment even among trained participantsThe mismatch between curricula and market demand is particularly evident in fast-growing sectors such as digital technology, renewable energy and agri-food, where opportunities exist for young people but curricula have yet to catch up with industry growth.3. Differences in Quality and Availability of…

Vocational training programs are more available in urban areas where facilities are better equipped and more accessible. In contrast, rural areas remain inadequate, with outdated curricula and inexperienced trainers. A UNDP report (2022) found that 70% of vocational training centers in Cameroon are located in urban areas, leaving rural youth, especially young women, with little or no access to quality education.

Policy Recommendations

To strengthen the impact of vocational training on women and youth in Cameroon, targeted interventions are needed to address the existing skills gap and promote inclusive economic growth. These policy recommendations include but not limited to the following ;

1. Expand Women’s Access to Vocational Education

The Ministry of Women’s Empowerment and Family, in cooperation with local non-governmental organizations, should further establish more vocational training centers in rural areas and to offer more financial incentives to encourage women’s participation. This could include increasing the number of scholarships, transportation assistance and childcare services, which would help overcome some of the major barriers preventing women from enrolling in educational programs. The government should multiply efforts to prioritize the enrollment of women in traditionally male-dominated fields, such as engineering, agriculture and technology, through targeted massive campaigns that accentuates the endless possibilities that women can have at the end of such trainings and frequent mentoring programs, that followed up to monitor the evolution and insertion of its participants.

2. Adapting Vocational Training to Market Requirements

To address the skills gap, the Ministry of Labour and Vocational Training should partner with the private sector and labour market experts to modernize vocational programmes to meet emerging industry demands. For example, courses on renewable energy, digital entrepreneurship and advanced manufacturing can help equip young people with skills that are in high demand in the labour market. In addition, companies should be encouraged to offer internships and apprenticeships to vocational trainees, creating pathways to real employment.Regular communication between vocational training centres and industry representatives is essential to ensure the effectiveness of the programme. The government could also create sector advisory boards comprising experts from sectors such as information,communication and technology agriculture and construction to guide course content.

3. Strengthen Partnerships with the Private Sector

The private sector plays a vital role in making vocational training practical and employment-oriented. Multinational companies and large local businesses should be encouraged to partner with vocational training centres by providing sponsorship, equipment and on-the-job training opportunities. The Ministry of Small and Medium Enterprises, Social Economy and Handicrafts could also work with banks to create a vocational training fund, which will finance training programmes and entrepreneurial projects for vocational education graduates. Tax incentives can be provided to encourage businesses to actively participate in vocational training and employment initiatives.

4. Entrepreneurship Support for Professional Graduates

While existing vocational training programs have laid the groundwork for entrepreneurship development, it is essential to build upon these initiatives. To further empower vocational training graduates, especially women and youth, the Ministry of Finance, in collaboration with development agencies such as the African Development Bank, should increase funding for government-sponsored enterprise funds and microcredit facilities. This expansion will enable more individuals to access the necessary resources to start and grow their businesses.

Moreover, to ensure the effective utilization of these funds, it is crucial to establish robust accountability structures. This will guarantee that the support reaches those who genuinely need it, thereby maximizing the impact of these initiatives. By strengthening the existing framework and increasing funding, we can create a more supportive ecosystem for vocational training graduates to thrive as entrepreneurs.

Additionally, entrepreneurship centers within vocational training centers can continue to play a vital role in providing essential services such as business planning, marketing, and access to capital. By scaling up these efforts and implementing effective accountability measures, we can unlock the full potential of vocational training graduates and foster a culture of entrepreneurship, driving economic growth and development.

5. Strengthening Monitoring and Evaluation Mechanisms

It is important to ensure that vocational training programs are closely monitored and continuously improved. The Ministry of Planning and Regional Development, in cooperation with the National Institute of Statistics, should develop robust monitoring frameworks to track the outcomes of vocational training programs. Indicators such as employment rates, wage increases, and job creation after training should be monitored to assess the effectiveness of the program.

Conclusion

Vocational training has the potential to significantly improve the economic prospects of women and youth in Cameroon by equipping them with market-oriented skills. However, for these benefits to be fully realized, targeted interventions that address the unique barriers these groups face are needed. By expanding access to education, aligning curricula with market demands, encouraging partnerships with the private sector and supporting entrepreneurship, Cameroon can unlock the full potential of vocational education programs, spur inclusive economic growth, and promote greater economic freedom.

References

Donkor, A. (2021). Africa’s youth unemployment crisis is a global problem. Foreign Policy, 1-8.

Grimshaw, D. (2020). International organisations and the future of work: How new technologies and inequality shaped the narratives in 2019. Journal of Industrial Relations, 62(3), 477-507.

Mengue, Y. I., Sam-Kpakra, R., Obah, I. H., Ayissi, E. N., & Negou, N. (2023). Imagining the future through skills: TVET, gender and transitions towards decent employability for young women in Cameroon and Sierra Leone. Journal of the British Academy, 11(s3), 121-151.