Rehabilitation of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) in Somalia
Rebuilding Somalia's vocational training system: Somali NQF levels 1–5, quality assurance, teacher qualification and inclusive access in a fragile context
Three-year assignment under the GIZ-implemented TVET rehabilitation programme in Somalia. indeson helped rebuild the country's TVET system architecture: modular, competency-based qualifications aligned with Somali National Qualifications Framework levels 1–5, Recognition of Prior Learning mechanisms, quality assurance standards and assessment protocols, and Somali-language training and assessment materials. The work strengthened governance structures through federal and state-level committees, qualified 120 trainers in service (including 24 women), and opened modularised programmes at 10 technical secondary schools to 1,500 young people and adults — raising women's enrolment from 15% to 20% in a context shaped by protracted conflict and displacement.
Somalia's TVET system had been degraded by protracted conflict, food insecurity and displacement. Some 44% of young people were not in education, employment or training, and refugees, returnees and internally displaced people faced particular barriers to recognised skills pathways. Rebuilding vocational training in this fragile setting required more than courses: governance structures, teacher qualifications, financing arrangements, social-partner engagement and quality assurance all had to be standardised across federal and state levels while keeping access open for women and disadvantaged groups.
Rehabilitate Somalia's TVET system so that young people — including refugees, returnees and IDPs — gain market-relevant, recognised skills that improve employability and support social cohesion, by anchoring modular competency-based training, assessment and Recognition of Prior Learning in the Somali National Qualifications Framework.
Specific Objectives:
- 1Develop modular, competency-based qualification frameworks for Somali NQF levels 1–5
- 2Introduce Recognition of Prior Learning mechanisms and quality assurance standards with assessment protocols
- 3Strengthen TVET governance through standardised processes and federal and state-level committees
- 4Qualify TVET trainers in service and produce Somali-language training and assessment materials
- 5Enhance access to training for women, displaced youth and disadvantaged groups
Key Activities
- Development of modular, competency-based qualification frameworks aligned with Somali NQF levels 1–5
- Piloting of competency standards in priority sectors
- Linking modular training to assessment and Recognition of Prior Learning pathways
- Standardisation of processes and establishment of federal and state-level committees
- Advancing reforms on teacher qualifications, financing, social-partner engagement and quality assurance
- Introduction of quality assurance standards and assessment protocols
- In-service teacher qualification for 120 trainers, including 24 women
- Production of Somali-language training and assessment materials
- Integration of green-skills modules and cooperative training with employers
- Support to 10 technical secondary schools with modularised programmes
- Inclusive school committees and green campus initiatives
- Opening recognised skills pathways for women, refugees, returnees and IDPs
Methodology
Modular, labour-market-oriented curriculum design linked to Somali NQF levels 1–5
Competency-based training and assessment with piloted standards in priority sectors
Recognition of Prior Learning pathways connecting displaced and marginalised learners to recognised qualifications
Governance standardisation through federal and state-level committees covering teacher qualifications, financing, social-partner engagement and quality assurance
Somali-language development of training and assessment materials
Inclusive school committees and green campus initiatives at supported schools
Project Outcomes
Somali NQF levels 1–5 advanced through modular, competency-based qualifications linked to assessment and Recognition of Prior Learning
120 trainers (including 24 women) qualified in service; Somali-language training and assessment materials in use
1,500 young people and adults reached through 10 supported technical secondary schools; women's enrolment increased from 15% to 20%
Federal and state-level committees established, standardising governance of teacher qualifications, financing, social-partner engagement and quality assurance
Vocational training aligned with Somalia's Transformation Plan 2025–2030, contributing to durable solutions for migration-affected populations
2020 to 2023
GIZ (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit)
Commissioning Party
Development OrganizationGOPA Consulting Group
Implementation Consultant (consortium with indeson)
10 technical secondary schools
Modularised programmes, inclusive school committees and green campus initiatives
120 TVET trainers (including 24 women)
In-service teacher qualification
1,500 young people and adults
Access to market-relevant training, with women's enrolment raised from 15% to 20%