SPECIAL FEATURE
I’m very optimistic about what we can do. Digitalization of both business and finance are opening up opportunities for doing
things in financing SMEs that we just couldn’t do before.
Matthew Gamser, SME Finance Forum, CEO
Vocational education and training programs are implemented in some countries, like Chad featured below, are helping to equip youth with the skills for specific jobs. SDG 4 and SDG 8 are closely linked because quality education and lifelong learning opportunities are essential for building human capital, which is a key driver of economic growth. Education and skills development are necessary to promote innovation, productivity and entrepreneurship, which are critical for creating decent work opportunities and achieving sustainable economic growth. Therefore, investing in education and skills development will continue to be essential for achieving the intertwined SDGs on education and employment.
SUPPORTING JOBS IN JORDAN DURING THE PANDEMIC The Jordanian economy shrank by 1.6 percent in 2020. Unemployment rose to 24.7 percent in the fourth quarter, with youth unemployment rates reaching an unprecedented 50 percent, according to World Bank analysis. A US$70.5 million OPEC Fund loan is supporting the creation of some 14,500 jobs in the forestry and tourism sectors; promoting the employment of ITS graduates; and strengthening the staffing of healthcare institutions.
PROMOTING SCIENTIFIC VOCATIONAL EDUCATION IN CHAD
The government of Chad has identified education as a key sector for national development and adopted a two-year national strategy for higher education, scientific research and vocational training in 2021. In 2022, the OPEC Fund provided an US$11 million loan to support Phase 2 of the Abéché National Institute of Science and Technology Expansion Project, which aims at increasing the number of students in higher education and linking human resource development programs with the labor market.
PHOTO: vic josh/Shutterstock.com
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