What is TVET?
Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) refers to education and training programs that equip young people with practical skills, knowledge, and competencies required for specific trades, occupations, and entrepreneurship. Unlike traditional academic education, TVET focuses on hands-on learning and real-world application, preparing individuals directly for the labour market.
Responding to a Crisis-Affected Context
Since the onset of the Anglophone crisis in 2016, education and livelihoods in Bamenda have been severely disrupted. Schools have been closed, infrastructure damaged, and thousands of young people have been forced out of formal education. Many youths today face:
- Prolonged interruption of schooling
- Limited access to quality education and training
- High unemployment and underemployment
- Increased vulnerability to poverty, informal labour, and social risks
With few alternatives, many young people turn to short-term survival strategies such as motorcycle taxi riding (“Okada”) or small informal businesses, which often provide unstable and low income.
Our Response: Practical Skills for Real Opportunities
The Abakwa TVET Center is our direct response to these challenges. We are currently training young people in high-demand technical fields, and our approach focuses on hands-on learning, ensuring that trainees acquire skills that are directly applicable in the local market including:
- Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Installation
- CCTV Camera Installation
- Satellite Dish Installation
- Repair and Maintenance of Electronic Systems
Addressing the Real Barriers Youths Face
Through our previous training programs, we identified key barriers that prevent youths from transitioning into employment:
- Lack of access to professional tools and equipment
- Limited start-up capital
- Absence of mentorship and follow-up support
- Skills training that is often short-term and not linked to real jobs
To address this, we are currently implementing a tool library system, allowing trainees and graduates to borrow tools for practical work while gradually building their own resources. This ensures that training leads to real income opportunities, not just certificates.
Building a Community of Young Technicians
At the Abakwa TVET Center, we are not just training individuals—we are building a community of skilled young professionals. All trainees become part of an active alumni network, where they:
- Stay connected to the center
- Access mentorship and guidance
- Share job opportunities
- Collaborate on technical projects
This continuous engagement strengthens both individual livelihoods and the local economy.
Alignment with Global and Regional TVET Priorities
Our work is aligned with key international and regional frameworks that emphasize the importance of skills development in addressing youth unemployment and promoting sustainable development.
We contribute to the objectives of the UNESCO TVET Strategy 2022–2029, which promotes inclusive, demand-driven vocational training systems that enhance employability and resilience in fragile contexts.
At the continental level, our program aligns with the African Union TVET Strategy 2025-2034, which prioritizes skills development as a driver of economic transformation, youth employment, and industrial growth across Africa.
Nationally, our work supports Cameroon Vision 2035 and contributes to ongoing efforts to expand access to vocational training, promote youth employment, and strengthen human capital development.
Looking Ahead
Through the Abakwa TVET Center, we are laying the foundation for a permanent technical and vocational training center in Bamenda; one that goes beyond short-term projects to provide continuous learning, tool access, mentorship, and employment pathways for young people.
