Project description

Title: Labour Market Access Programme
Commissioned by: German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ)
Country: Egypt
Overall term: 2015 to 2020

Context

Decent and fair employment and career opportunities are vital to a stable socio-political environment as well as for economic prosperity and stability. That is why youth unemployment and the dearth of occupational prospects are among Egypt’s most pressing problems. According to Egypt’s official statistical agency, in the first quarter of 2014 the unemployment rate reached 13.4 per cent, its highest level for ten years. At the same time, companies in all sectors have difficulty finding employees and filling vacancies. The problem is particularly acute in the non-academic or blue-collar segment, where a great number of jobs are offered. Neither large companies nor small and medium-sized enterprises are currently in a position to offer employment that is attractive in terms of remuneration, working conditions and employee relations.

Objective
The employment situation for young Egyptians is improved.

Approach
The programme is designed to facilitate access for young people to the labour market. Its main focus is on developing the employment potential for positions that are currently vacant and future demand for workers in the non-academic segment of the labour market.

These potentials can be unlocked by developing and expanding services geared to job preparation and placement, and by improving the quality of jobs in small and medium-sized enterprises.

The programme provides advisory services and support in the following specific areas:

• capacity development at the National Employment Pact to help young people find and prepare for employment;
• capacity development at the Federation of Economic Development Associations with a view to improving job quality in small and medium-sized enterprises (implemented by GFA Consulting Group);
• establishing open innovation processes to develop innovative approaches to job placement and improve job quality.

Results

Since the launch of the programme in January 2015, around 2,080 young people have taken part in job preparation measures; employment has already been found for over 1,800 jobseekers. Each month more than 130 additional young people can be placed (as at March 2016).