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UNIDO, partners to provide over 6,000 jobs for youths in Tunisia.
THE United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), the US Agency for International Development (USAID), the Italian Development Cooperation and the HP Foundation on Tuesday inaugurated the second phase of UNIDO’s youth employment project. “Mashrou3i” (“My project” in Arabic) aims to create more than 6,000 jobs for young people in Tunisia over the next five years.
Currently, in the governorates of Central, Southern and Northern Tunisia, around 40 per cent of young graduates are unable to find work. This situation is attributed to a range of factors, including the public sector’s limited capacity to employ more young men and women, a lack of diversity in the private sector, and a mismatch between the skills required by the private sector and those offered by graduates.
The Mashrou3i project has helped to create more than 1,250 jobs to date, including by helping more than 160 start-up businesses mainly in the governorates of Kairouan, Kasserine, Kef and Sidi Bouzid. During the second phase of this public-private partnership, the project will be expanded to 14 vulnerable governorates of Tunisia and US$14 million will be invested to provide direct support to aspiring and existing entrepreneurs through training courses, business coaching and technical assistance in Beja, Gafsa, Gabès, Jendouba, Kairouan, Kasserine, Kébili, Kef, Medenine, Sidi Bouzid, Siliana, Tataouine, Tozeur and Zaghouan. It will also help enhance the knowledge and capacity of local business support and higher educational institutions.
“There is an urgent need for innovative solutions that provide access to quality education and enable economic opportunity for everyone everywhere”.
“This initiative will provide young men and women in Tunisia’s most vulnerable governorates with skills required to be entrepreneurs and offer business coaching services to help them start their businesses or to be able to be competitive on the job market. We expect to reach more than 25,000 aspiring and existing entrepreneurs and create at least 6,000 additional jobs in Tunisia within the next five years,” said Glenn Rogers, Senior Development Advisor for USAID in Tunisia.
Philippe Scholtès, Managing Director at UNIDO, who attended the launch, added: “Unemployment among Tunisia’s educated youth remains a major challenge. Through such public-private partnerships we can pool and leverage our expertise and resources and support Tunisia on its path of inclusive and sustainable industrial development. By working together, we can ensure the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.”
Flavio Lavisolo, Head of the Italian Development Cooperation in Tunisia, added: “Our efforts aim to stimulate private and public investment, and help companies increase their competitiveness and overcome constraints to growth. This, in return, will secure new employment opportunities for people living in disadvantaged governorates, mainly for young women and men. The project is in line with the new priorities of the Italian Cooperation in Tunisia, which focus on regional development and job creation.”
Mashrou3i will leverage the HP Foundation’s Learning Initiative for Entrepreneurs (HP LIFE) Program, which provides free online IT and business skills training for people all over the world. HP LIFE will help young Tunisian entrepreneurs develop the knowledge and skills they need to start, grow and run successful businesses.
“The Mashrou3i project is a scalable social innovation model with proven results,” said Jihed Jahdour, Managing Director, HP Inc. Tunisia. “There is an urgent need for innovative solutions that provide access to quality education and enable economic opportunity for everyone everywhere, wherever they are in the world. The second phase of the project signals the continuation of our successful partnership to foster employment opportunities for young men and women in Tunisia.”
US car giant Ford on Wednesday announced 4,000 more job cuts in Europe, mostly in Germany and Britain, in the latest blow to the continent’s beleaguered car industry.
“The company has incurred significant losses in recent years,” Ford said in a statement, blaming “the industry shift to electrified vehicles and new competition”.
The move will affect 2,900 jobs in Germany, 800 in the UK and 300 in western Europe by the end of 2027, a Ford spokesman told AFP.
“It is critical to take difficult but decisive action to ensure Ford’s future competitiveness in Europe,” said Dave Johnston, Ford’s European vice-president in the statement.
The company also said it was adjusting the production of its Explorer and Capri models, resulting in reduced hours at its Cologne plant in the first quarter of 2025.
Europe’s car industry has been plunged into crisis by high manufacturing costs, a stuttering switch to electric vehicles and increased competition in key market China.
Germany’s Volkswagen has been among those hardest hit, announcing in September that it was considering the unprecedented move of closing some factories in Germany.
“The European automotive industry is in a very demanding and serious situation,” Volkswagen CEO Oliver Blume said at the time.
Ford had already announced in February 2023 that it was planning to cut 3,800 jobs in Europe, including 2,300 in Germany and 1,300 in Britain.
The company said then it was planning to reduce the number of models developed for Europe, concentrate on the profitable van segment and speed up the transition to electric vehicles.
Ford currently has around 28,000 employees in Europe with 15,000 in Germany, according to the company’s works council.
President Bola Tinubu has approved the dissolution of the Governing Council of Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK), Awka, Anambra State, and the removal of the institution’s Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Bernard Ifeanyi Odoh, and Registrar, Mrs. Rosemary Ifoema Nwokike.
The council, chaired by Ambassador Greg Ozumba Mbadiwe, comprised five other members: Hafiz Oladejo, Augustine Onyedebelu, Engr. Amioleran Osahon, and Rtd. Gen. Funsho Oyeneyin.
A statement released on Wednesday by presidential spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, revealed that the council was dissolved following reports of procedural violations in appointing the vice-chancellor.
According to the statement, the council had allegedly appointed an unqualified candidate, disregarding due process, which triggered tensions between the university’s Senate and the council.
The Federal Government expressed dismay over the council’s actions, emphasizing the need for adherence to the university’s governing laws in decision-making.
“The council’s disregard for established rules necessitated the government’s intervention to restore order to the 33-year-old institution,” the statement noted.
In a related development, President Tinubu also approved the dismissal of Engr. Ohieku Muhammed Salami, the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of the Federal University of Health Sciences, Otukpo, Benue State.
Salami was accused of suspending the university’s Vice-Chancellor without following the prescribed procedures, a move the Federal Ministry of Education had previously directed him to reverse.
Despite the Ministry’s directives, Salami reportedly refused to comply and resorted to issuing threats and abusive remarks towards the Ministry’s officials, including the Permanent Secretary.
The Federal Government reiterated that the primary role of university councils is to ensure the smooth operation of academic activities, strictly adhering to the laws establishing each institution.
Tinubu warned university councils against engaging in actions that could destabilize their institutions, as his administration remains committed to enhancing the nation’s education system.
The Ekiti State Government has reached an agreement with labour leaders in the state, signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the payment of the N70,000 minimum wage approved by the Federal Government.
Addressing journalists at a brief ceremony in Ado-Ekiti on Tuesday, the Head of Service (HoS), Dr. Folakemi Olomojobi, announced that the payment would commence immediately.
She lauded Governor Biodun Oyebanji for prioritizing the welfare of workers despite the state’s limited resources.
“This development demonstrates the governor’s commitment to improving the livelihood of our workers,” Dr. Olomojobi stated, highlighting the proactive measures taken by the administration to ensure prompt implementation.
In their remarks, the Trade Union Congress (TUC) Chairman, Comrade Sola Adigun, and the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) Chairman, Comrade Olatunde Kolapo, expressed their appreciation to Governor Oyebanji for fulfilling his promises to workers.
They confirmed that the new minimum wage would apply to all cadres, including employees in ministries, parastatals, agencies, and pensioners.
The Chairman of the Joint Negotiating Committee (JNC), Comrade Femi Ajoloko, described the implementation as a fair and commendable adjustment.
“This decision reflects the governor’s magnanimity and his dedication to fostering a productive workforce in Ekiti State,” he said.
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