A cutting-edge training center in Djibouti to tackle youth unemployment

With over 75% of Djibouti’s young population unemployed, the country faces a critical challenge. To address this issue, a training center for jobs in port professions was opened on November 21. Funded by Agence Française de Développement (AFD) and the European Union, this center aims to equip young people with the skills they need to enter the labor market.

The Centre de Ressources et de Compétences de Djibouti (CRC) has opened a new center for training in port logistics and transport, located just a few kilometers from Djibouti’s main port. Equipped with advanced simulators and numerous classrooms, this high-tech facility offers training, software courses and seminars.

In a country where the unemployment rate is close to 50%—and where 70% of the unemployed are under 30—vocational training provides a unique opportunity to secure a job. While the center has only just opened, training programs have been operational since 2019. They address a significant demand in the logistics and port transport sector, as Djibouti ranks as Africa’s leading port according to the World Bank and IHS Markit.

The ambition to become a leading regional center

According to Director Abdourahman Elmi, the CRC’s main aim is to meet the demand for skilled workers in the port sector: “We work closely with port authorities and companies to understand their needs. We then adapt the number of places on our programs to ensure that as many of our students as possible can integrate the labor market.”

In total, 3,000 students completed training between 2019 and 2024, with an average recruitment rate of 70%. “With the new premises, we can go a step further: we hope to become a leading center by attracting students from neighboring countries, while also creating international job opportunities for our graduates,” says Abdourahman Elmi. “We have already entered into discussions with all the major ports in the region to offer them skilled labor.”

Improving access to employment and boosting young people’s self-confidence

As a result of this training, many young people—whether working in their first job or completing professional training—feel that they have gained confidence in themselves and the skills they have to offer on the job market. Abdi Hassan Omar, a HGV driver, testifies: “Today, I feel like much more than just a driver, I can also give advice on operations and safety protocols.”

For 32-year-old Robleh Houssein, training to become a container carrier driver, the course represents a real opportunity. “Before, I worked as a dock master. But whenever I had some spare time, I’d go and watch the people handling the containers, and I was fascinated. It’s a highly-regarded role, with a lot of responsibility,” he says. “So, when I heard about this training on social media, I applied immediately. It's a dream come true!”

For many young people, these highly practical, recognized training courses serve as a gateway to employment. Such was the case for 24-year-old Abdoulkader Hassan: “This training helped me set a clear pathway to achieving my goals. I got a job in the sector I wanted shortly afterwards.”

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