The Libyan Minister of Labour, Ali Al-Abed affirmed that the ministry has “adopted the principle of training for empowerment, emphasizing the significance of vocational training to bolster the labour market with in-demand skills.”
This statement was made during Al-Abed’s participation in a graduation ceremony for job seekers, as part of a training initiative in Zliten.
Al-Abed elaborated that “through training, the Labour Ministry aims to address the influence of societal ideologies and cultural heritage. This often sways youth towards academic education, despite the pivotal role of vocational training in aligning educational outcomes with labour market needs,” according to the ministry’s press office.
The Minister added that the “opportunities presented by entrepreneurship cannot be overlooked in enhancing employment opportunities, especially in fields related to professional entrepreneurship.”
Khaled Shakshak, the head of the Audit Bureau praised the ministry’s role in youth empowerment, supplying them with the necessary tools and equipment for integration into the job market. He also acknowledged the ministry’s collaboration with technical institutes, via the Ministry of Technical and Vocational Education.
Shakshak confirmed that they would “strive to convene a technical meeting with relevant parties, to support such projects and training programs aimed at providing job opportunities for youths.”
The event included the graduation of the first batch in the fields of car breakdown diagnostics and mobile phone maintenance, with a total of 120 trainees. Minister Al-Abid inaugurated the second phase of training, which will educate 130 more trainees, in areas such as submersible pump maintenance, solar energy, and air conditioning and refrigeration.
Libya has been in chaos since a NATO-backed uprising toppled longtime leader Muammar Gaddafi in 2011. The county has for years been split between rival administrations, each backed by rogue militias and foreign governments.
The current stalemate grew out of the failure to hold elections in December 2021, and the refusal of Prime Minister Abdel-Hamid Dbaiba, who is leading the transitional government, to step down.