Cairo, 4 February 2019 - The International Organization for Migration (IOM) partners with the Ministry of Manpower of the Arab Republic of Egypt to address youth employment in line with Egypt Sustainable Development Strategy – Vision 2030.

By providing the Ministry with 30 personal computers, IOM is launching its national action aimed at increasing capacities of Egypt vocational training centres. This initial assistance is given in the framework of a national plan, starting with the Vocational Training Centre located in Housh Issa, in the Beheira governorate, South West of Alexandria, in the Delta region. Such support is part of IOM’s plan to create internationally accredited vocational training centres under the guidance of the Ministry of Manpower.

IOM Egypt Chief of Mission, Mr. Laurent de Boeck met with the Egypt Minister of Manpower, His Excellency Mr. Mohamed Saafan, to personally hand over the equipment. Laurent De Boeck took this opportunity to discuss enlarging IOM’s future cooperation and collaborate with the Ministry to answer the needs of more than 20 million young Egyptians, upgrading their skills to enter the labor market.

‘I am delighted to launch our concrete cooperation by handing over these 30 computers to the Ministry. This symbolic initial gesture is the sign of our willingness to continue partnering with the Ministry of Manpower in such an important subject than youth employment in Egypt. I commend His Excellency the Minister for his engaged vision towards youth employment as a tool to prevent irregular migration and possible abuse of young Egyptians when using smugglers and traffickers to join other countries”, said Laurent de Boeck, Chief of Mission of IOM Egypt.

IOM is in the process of upgrading the vocational training centre in Housh Issa, Beheira governorate by renovating and refurbishing one hall to accommodate computer literacy classes intended for all trainees enrolled in the courses in the centre. Beheira is one of the five highest sending Governorates for irregular migration to Europe in 2017. Special focus is given to these regions of origin, where youth needs to receive guidance on employment opportunities, creation of small and medium size enterprises, technical support and micro-business management.

This initiative contributes to the achievement of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): Goal 4: Quality education; Goal 8: Decent work and economic growth; and Goal 11: Sustainable cities and communities. It is also in line with the objectives of Egypt’s Sustainable Development Strategy (SDS): Vision 2030.

For more information, please contact: Omar Awwad at IOM Egypt, Tel: +2 02 2736 5140/1 Email: oawwad@iom.int