Involving Local Communities

Vocational and technical training must be adaptable to local and regional needs. Experience in many countries has shown that regional participation and local control play a key role in determining the success of technical and vocational skills initiatives. Local communities have a better understanding of local realities enabling quick and realistic decision making. The need to customise training provision with local needs is particularly necessary in remote and rural areas, and in addressing the needs of vulnerable and disadvantaged people. For instance, the commitment of the Rwandan government to build up the national training capacity through more community-based short courses (delivered for example by Kivumu PTC) exemplifies a pragmatic approach to skills development in both the informal and formal sectors. In addition, the AfDB-funded Skills Development and Income Generation Project (SDIG) in Malawi provides an example of an intervention where the involvement of the local communities has resulted in increased livelihood opportunities.