The Ministry of Vocational Training, Traditional Industry, and Crafts organized a forum this Monday morning in Nouakchott to discuss the reform of the Higher Center for Technical Education and its role in establishing a quality management system for training.

The one-day forum aims to review the progress of the reform process launched at the Higher Center for Technical Education to become a reference institution for excellence and quality, assess the initial training progress for 110 newly contracted teachers, and monitor the implementation of the national quality reference framework in training institutions.

His Excellency Mr. Mohamed Maâ Al-Ainin Ould Ayah, Minister of Vocational Training, Traditional Industry, and Crafts, stated in his speech that the launch of this reflective day on reforming the structure of the Higher Center for Technical Education is part of the implementation of the program of His Excellency the President of the Republic, Mr. Mohamed Ould Cheikh El Ghazouani, aimed at advancing technical and vocational training.

He pointed out that the government program includes several main axes, notably expanding the capacity of the vocational training system to create training opportunities for youth and supply the labor market with professional competencies, as well as developing training in entrepreneurship and business.

He added that the sector launched a project to establish a quality system based on preparing a quality guide consistent with international standards, evaluating the level of educational institutions, and placing them on the right track.

For his part, Mr. Sidi Ahmed Ould Aywah, Director General of the Higher Center for Technical Education, said the forum reflects the serious will of the higher authorities to make vocational training a key driver of economic and social development and a strategic choice to prepare national competencies capable of meeting future challenges.

He added that the Higher Center for Technical Education plays a pivotal role in establishing a quality management system by aligning pedagogical and organizational practices with quality system requirements and actively contributing to system development, especially through qualifying and accrediting teachers, and striving to obtain a quality certificate to be a model institution emulated by other training institutions.

The forum was inaugurated in the presence of the Ministry’s Secretary-General, Mr. Amadi Ould Taleb, several sector officials, and some international partners.