Commitments by the Government of Seychelles

THE CASE FOR URGENT ACTION ON YOUTH EMPLOYMENT

Our country is embracing a rapid transformation of its economy and society, with a significant focus on digitalisation. We have what it takes to support and stimulate this transformation. It is a nationwide and collective effort. Improving employment opportunities for young people requires a broad and concerted effort from all stakeholders. While the Government and public sector are primarily responsible for creating an enabling environment for youth employment, employers play a crucial role in the process. Entrepreneurship will be crucial to the future of our youth and our country.

THE CASE FOR URGENT ACTION ON YOUTH EMPLOYMENT

Dr. SLIM FERIANI

MINISTER OF INDUSTRY AND SMEs TUNISIA

THE CASE FOR URGENT ACTION ON YOUTH EMPLOYMENT

De elopi g the Skills of a st Ce tur Workfor e

Our country, Tunisia, has 3.000 years of cultural heritage, 1.200 kilometres of Mediterranean coasts, spacious fertile lands (making it the breadbasket of the Roman Empire), considerable natural resources etc. However, our people are our greatest asset and they must be nurtured and looked after carefully. A special focus has always been given to our youth, but never more so than in the past seven years since we embarked on a path to democracy – a path initiated and led by our youth.

Over the past decade, various nations across the world have experienced financial turmoil and unrest, youth alienation, brain drain, illegal immigration etc. Hence, every nation owes it to its youth to offer a social fabric, which is endowed with the necessary tools that ensure protection, trust, opportunities and happiness.

As Minister of Industry and SMEs, I am faced on a regular basis with the need from industrial companies for skilled work force, ideally based near their plants. This demand is estimated at tens of thousands of jobs per year in traditional sectors such as textiles as well as in new and promising sectors such as aeronautics and autos. However, there is a gap between the skills of our abundant labour supply and the requirements of industrial firms. Hence, we are proactively working to close the supply-demand skills gap in collaboration with various leading local firms and industry clusters, along with our colleagues in the Ministry of Higher Education and Ministry of Employment and Professional Training as well as. It is a perfect example of Public-Private Partnership.

THE CASE FOR URGENT ACTION ON YOUTH EMPLOYMENT

We are living through the fourth industrial revolution, which relies on innovation, technology, automation and artificial intelligence. It challenges the old economic and social models. Indeed, over the past few years, the industrial sector has been going through deep changes, in which information and communication technologies (ICT) have taken the driving seat. This new industrial revolution is giving birth to a new generation of industry: Industry 4.0, or Smart Industry, represents a major technological breakthrough and game-changer for the industrial sector globally. This will have decisive consequences on future jobs.

The implementation of Industry 4.0 requires a new generation of employees. They need to be multi-talented knowledge workers who not only have technical skills but, additionally, non-technical skills, like communication, problem-solving, decision-making and multidisciplinary work and life skills.

In order to remain an African leader in the industrial world and to maintain a globally competitive advantage, we are in the process of implementing a national strategy to help our industrial firms embrace Industry 4.0. We believe that this is the best way to ensure that global champions such as Airbus, Leoni, Yazaki, Henkel etc., and homegrown international champions Coficab and One Tech groups, continue to rely on Tunisia to serve as one of their main and most competitive industrial hubs.

According to the latest Global Entrepreneurship Index 2018, Tunisia is ranked first in Africa in terms of quality of the entrepreneurial environment. We are determined to maintain that leadership position and further encourage the entrepreneurship which, ultimately, could be the best way to employ our youth and help them thrive. It will also keep our country firmly on the path of fair, - 49 -

THE CASE FOR URGENT ACTION ON YOUTH EMPLOYMENT

inclusive and sustainable social and economic development. The upcoming approval by parliament of our Start-up Act will mark a historic step in that direction. In addition, we are enthusiastically encouraging various initiatives such as: 1) innovative and alternative ways to access finance to help startups and small businesses, eg. Crowdfunding; 2) nationwide teaching and promotion of ESG (Environment, Social and Governance) issues for our youth, which ultimately will make them better citizens.

Last but not least, and in order to promote entrepreneurship as the major driver for youth employment, we are keen on further valuing and encouraging national champions and success stories such as Wallyscar. This is the first Tunisian car manufacturer set-up barely a dozen years ago in 2006 by two ambitious young Tunisians in their twenties. It was recently voted one of the winners of the Arab Youth Campaign on Innovation Contest organized by the International Monetary Fund (IMF). Success breeds confidence! Confidence breeds success and hard work pays off.