Opportunity
The coming development of some of the largest offshore gas fields in the world will provide Mozambique with an unprecedented opportunity to improve the prosperity of its citizens.
In the province of Cabo Delgado in northern Mozambique, which has one of the highest unemployment rates in the country, skilled labour is badly needed to work in the energy sector and other industries to unlock economic growth.
To fill vacancies and raise income levels among its population, the province needs training expertise to utilise and adapt existing skills among the local workforce, while also helping new entrants to the jobs market gain the competencies required by employers.
Solution
The Work Readiness programme will equip residents, particularly women and young people, with literacy, numeracy and workplace skills, as well as providing 35 days of intensive practical training in hospitality or a chosen industrial discipline (welding, rigging, electrical).
We are playing a leading role in the programme’s implementation by developing a project database and record-keeping system, and by establishing an outreach campaign to attract potential candidates through the use of social and broadcast media and community visits.
Our specialists will select the most proficient candidates – both high school graduates and those who have not completed their education – who will be trained by consortium partner Capital Africa, one of Africa’s largest professional training institutes. We will also work with public and private sector organisations to find jobs for those who complete the training.
Outcome
By 2018 the Work Readiness programme will have trained a minimum of 1000 people, 35% of whom will be women and 40% under the age of 25. They will receive support to secure jobs in the oil and gas sector, other extractive industries and the hospitality sector, not only in Cabo Delgado but further afield.
Being ‘work ready’ will mean they will be trainable and able to learn additional skills, increasing their value to employers and boosting their chances of securing long-term, sustainable employment. That’s good news for incomes and the Mozambican economy.