How can the needs of two countries and the interests of both the public and private sectors be reconciled at the same time? AVSI proposes an initiative in Tunisia that meets the employment needs of 150 young Tunisians while simultaneously addressing the demand for labour from Italian companies. The project anticipates the action of the Piano Mattei, training specialized workers in Tunisia such as carpenters, welders that Italian companies struggle to find in the labour market.
The Situation in Tunisia
In an interview for Il Sussidiario.it, Emanuele Gobbi Frattini, AVSI’s Country Representative for Tunisia, explained that for many young Tunisians, this project would be a unique opportunity to find employment abroad and migrate legally, without risking an irregular migration journey across the Mediterranean.
Tunisia is an economically vulnerable country. The recent international crises of COVID-19 and the war in Ukraine have significantly worsened its economic situation, particularly since 60% of the cereals the Country needs are imported from Russia and Ukraine. This factor, along with the rising youth unemployment rate, currently at 40%, drives many young people to risk everything to reach Europe and find better economic conditions. The project, therefore, focuses on professional training locally to meet the demand of the Italian market, which lacks specialized labour. Indeed, while Tunisia has a growing birth rate and a considerable number of young population, Italy faces the opposite trend, with a constant demographic decline and a resulting shortage of technical staff.
Synergy with Private Companies
"This type of project is made possible thanks to the many collaborations AVSI has with private companies. By working with Italian companies, the gap between training in Tunisia and the skills required in Italy will be assessed. Schools will update their local vocational training offer, aligning it with the Italian request and with the new market trends."
Emanuele Gobbi Frattini, Country Representative for AVSI in Tunisia
Current Status of the Project
AVSI has signed agreements with two agencies under the auspices of the Ministry of Labour and the Tunisian Minister of Employment and Vocational Training. The agreements involve the Tunisian employment agency and the Tunisian vocational training agency. The approval of the Italian Ministry of Labour is still pending, though authorization from the Tunisian authorities has already been granted. The CGIL, which has an office in Tunisia, is also involved. The Italian Cultural Institute plays a significant role as well, offering language and cultural courses to the 150 young Tunisians before their departure to Italy to help them understand the context they will be entering.
VOCATIONAL TRAINING: A WAY TO BRING TOGETHER FOREIGN JOB SUPPLY AND DEMAND
It has become clear, and recognized through new legislation, that promoting vocational training in the countries of origin of potential migrants encourages regular migration of foreign workers and helps meet the labor demand of Italian companies. But the practical application of this concept makes both opportunities and critical issues arise. AVSI participated in a multistakeholder dialogue on this theme, organized by Compagnia delle Opere (CDO) at the 45th Rimini Meeting and moderated by Giannino Della Frattina - journalist at "Il Giornale".
Giampaolo Silvestri, Secretary General, presented this agreement signed with the Tunisian government to kickstart vocational training projects for Tunisian nationals to start working in Italian companies. Space was also given to the contributions of Rose Busingye, professional nurse and coordinator of the Meeting Point in Kampala; Massimo Dal Checco, President of Assafrica & Mediterraneo and Andrea Dellabianca, President of "Compagnia delle Opere". Final remarks will be made by the Italian Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, Edmondo Cirielli.