Minister of Planning & Economic Development witnesses the inauguration of the 2nd edition of the "Educate Egypt 2023” forum

H.E. Dr. Hala El-Said, Egypt’s Minister of Planning and Economic Development, witnessed on Monday the inauguration of the second edition of the "Educate Egypt 2023” forum (Forum for technical and technological education and vocational training) which is held under the slogan "Create Your Future" in the presence of Dr. Reda Hegazy - Minister of Education and Technical Education.

 

During her speech at the inauguration ceremony of the forum, Dr. Hala El-Said stressed that technical education can play a major role in qualifying a large number of young people and providing them with the skills and capabilities that allow them to meet the needs of the labor market, the updates of the digital transformation and the Fourth Industrial Revolution.

 

 

 

El-Said indicated that the Egyptian state spares no effort to upgrade the technical education and vocational training system, in line with the plans and directions of the Egyptian leadership and its efforts to achieve comprehensive and sustainable development.

 

At the forefront of this is the National Program for Structural Reforms. This program aims to transform the Egyptian economy into a productive economy based on knowledge and enjoying competitive capabilities in the world economy, according to El-Said.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

El-Said added that this program includes a main pillar aimed at raising the efficiency and flexibility of the labor market and developing the technical education and vocational training system, as well as activating the role of the private sector and achieving compatibility between the supply and demand sides in the labor market and supporting the empowerment of women, youth and people with special abilities.

 

 

 

El-Said explained that several procedures have been identified to achieve these goals, and their implementation is being monitored in coordination with the Ministry of Education, Technical Education, and other concerned parties, including the establishment of the Egyptian National Authority for Quality Assurance and Accreditation (ETQAAN) for technical and vocational education and training.

 

 

 

 

 

These procedures also include converting all study programs into programs based on the methodology of professional competencies. In addition, they include updating courses into specializations that are compatible with the development of businesses and jobs as a result of rapid technological development.

 

 

 

It was also aimed at raising the number of those joining technical education from the preparatory stage to 70% instead of the current rate of 55%, in addition to setting standards for the vocational training system in cooperation with the beneficiaries (industrial, commercial, agricultural and hotel) through the establishment of sectoral skills councils (Sector Skill Councils) to determine professional standards for each sector.

 

 

 

Centers of Competence have also been established in selected schools of applied technology in cooperation with the private sector, as well as developing the infrastructure for technical education schools and increasing the number of technical education schools in line with industrial zones and national projects that are currently being implemented.

 

El-Said referred to the expansion of the establishment and development of applied technology schools in all governorates of the Republic, where about 40 schools have been established and developed (out of a total of 100 schools targeted for establishment in 2030).

 

Moreover, 6 technological universities were established (October 6, New Assiut, New Thebes in Luxor, East Port Said, Samanoud in Gharbia, Borg El Arab in Alexandria), with a capacity of 22.5 thousand students, in addition to three previously established universities (New Cairo - Delta in Quesna - Beni Suef), bringing the total number of technical universities to nine universities.

 

 

 

El-Said affirmed the Egyptian state's keenness to consolidate cooperation with local and international development partners, in a way that effectively contributes to the continuation of the country's distinguished development successes, and the unprecedented projects and initiatives it implements in various fields.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In this context, a memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed between the Ministry of Planning and Economic Development and the "Egypt's Workforce" project (in February 2022), to raise the efficiency of the labor market, develop skills, economic empowerment of women and youth, achieving sustainable development at the governorate level and strengthening partnership with the private sector.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

El-Said added that work is underway to create a platform for all sectoral skills councils in Egypt and encourage student transition activities to the labor market, including employment activities, skills training, innovation and entrepreneurship promotion, competitions, and vocational guidance.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This is an extension of the joint successes and achievements achieved between the Egyptian government and the Workforce Development and Skills Enhancement Project (WISE), in addition to other joint initiatives and programs that have greatly contributed to supporting the state's efforts to upgrade these vital sectors.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

El-Said highlighted the Egyptian government's support for entrepreneurship through several axes, the most significant of which is the support and establishment of business incubators for promising startups that present original ideas on the labor market, and the launch of several initiatives to build youth capacities, such as The Rowad 2030 (entrepreneurs 2030) and the One Million Entrepreneurs campaign.

 

 

 

The campaign aims to qualify 1 million entrepreneurs by the year 2030.