CAIRO: Egypt's workforce may soon place a firm foothold on the global map by turning products marked with the "Made in Egypt label into strong selling points. This is the objective of an EU-funded project aims to train and expose the country's labor to new means by which to upgrade their skills and production lines. The Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) project aims to enhance competitiveness of Egyptian enterprises on both the domestic and international markets through improving quality of vocational training, as well as quality and structure of Egypt's labor force. "Vocational training and skilled labor force form the backbone of the economy, said Klaus Ebermann, ambassador of the Delegation of the European Commission in Egypt. "Vocational training is important for economic development, sustainability, growth, and investment in Egypt. With a well-trained and skilled labor force, Egyptian industries will be able to face global competition. Launched in July 2005, the project proved a great success in developing skills of workers in the textiles and ready-made garment sector and helping them qualify for better career opportunities. Building on its initial success, the project extended its reach and launched its second phase on Tuesday to include four new sectors, namely engineering, food processing, wood and furniture, as well as building and construction materials. Expected to run for a total of six years, the project comes to a total budget of 66 million euros, equally divided between the EU and the Egyptian government. "Through this program, we are sharing costs and benefits. Egypt benefits from skilled labor, and Europe benefits from better quality products delivered to its [gates], Ebermann added. "Europe is Egypt's largest export market and largest trading partner. A main ingredient of the project's success lies in its strong conceivable driving force generated by business and industrial enterprises operating in Egypt, who currently lack a well-qualified labor force. "Egypt's main reason for unemployment lies in lack of skilled labor. There are different job opportunities available in Egypt nowadays, but the main obstacle is finding a qualified labor force to fill these positions, said Rachid Mohamed Rachid, minister of trade. He pointed out that each year the country's education system produced graduates unqualified for available job opportunities, a situation that maximizes unemployment. "Unemployment will not only be resolved by creating job opportunities, but also by creating skilled labor, he added. "We hope that this project will transform this workforce into better qualified employees that contribute to the wellbeing of the Egyptian economy. With its second phase now on track, the project will create 15,000 new job opportunities. By the end of this year, the EU will be launching technical assistance programs for several other vocational training sectors, including tourism. "Egypt and the EU enjoy extraordinary cooperation, and at the centerpiece of our experience is to train the workforce of producing sectors. These sectors are essential to the progress of the Egyptian economy, and without a trained workforce Egyptian industries will lose in the face of international competition, Ebermann stated. Through continuation of TVET, more progress and reforms are expected to be made in Egyptian industries, which will increase demand for Egyptian-made products and in turn increase export and trade opportunities. "Through the project, Egyptian industries, for example the furniture industry, will produce good quality work and design and be able sell in both domestic and international markets, he said. "For us, this program is also a key to developing small and medium-sized enterprises in Egypt.
