MLI/022
Technical and Vocational Training

The third Indicative Cooperation Programme (ICP III) aims to support the Government of Mali in its efforts to reduce poverty through support for inclusive and sustainable growth and the reduction of food insecurity. The scope of activities of ICP III covers the following sectors:

• Rural Development and Food Security (MLI/021);
• Training and Professional Integration (MLI/022); and
• Decentralisation and Good Governance (MLI/023).

The MLI/022 programme concerns Training and Workforce development in Mali and is concentrated in the South Region targeted by ICP III .

Despite having experienced significant progress in terms of development of its gross enrollment ratio, the Malian education system still faces major challenges: the retention and development of infrastructure to improve access and quality of teaching.

Vocational training (VT), issues relating to the quality and effectiveness of existing training are at the heart of the concerns, noting the lack of matching skills to the productive sector needs and making the complex challenge of occupational integration.

The intervention strategy aims to expand access to high-quality VT based on skills and promoting employability.

This strategy is based on the primary goal of ICP III; namely, skills development in rural areas (especially related to rice, sesame and fonio sectors) of five districts in the Segou region (Segou, Barouéli, Bla, San and Tominian) and the Yorosso district in the Sikasso region.

The overall objective of the programme is to support job creation, particularly among women and youth, and income-generating activities. The specific objective of the intervention concerns the increase of professional skills of women and men adapted to the job market in rural areas. Three outcomes have been identified for achieving this objective, namely:

• A better structured vocational training sector that meets initial training needs in rural areas;
• Meeting continuing education needs in rural areas; and
• Strengthening support methods regarding employment of rural youth.