Under the “Strengthening the Public–Private Partnership (PPP) Model in the South Sudan TVET Ecosystem” project, an 11-day training programme was successfully conducted at the National Institute for Entrepreneurship and Small Business Development (NIESBUD) in New Delhi. The programme focused on enhancing skills development and vocational training in South Sudan, covering topics such as equal participation in education for women and disadvantaged groups, and aligning training with labor market needs. It targeted senior state and private sector actors from South Sudan to build their institutional capacity in technical and vocational education and training (TVET).
The training introduced the South Sudanese delegation to India’s National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) model and its comprehensive skilling architecture. Participants engaged with representatives from the NSDC, the National Council for Vocational Education and Training, and the Directorate General of Training to learn about industry-aligned training, apprenticeships, digital skills programs, women-centric initiatives, and community-based vocational training. Field visits to institutions including the Delhi Skill and Entrepreneurship University, Industrial Training Institute Pusa, National Skill Training Institute, and Jan Shikshan Sansthan provided practical insights into partnerships between government, industry, CSR initiatives, and community-driven approaches that enhance youth employability.
The training emphasized the transfer of knowledge to South Sudan, enabling the delegation to adopt strategies for reducing unemployment, increasing productivity, and promoting inclusive economic growth. The programme also focused on gender-responsive TVET and sector-specific frameworks, particularly in agriculture and construction, with the goal of strengthening institutional structures and curricula. UNESCO highlighted its readiness to support South Sudan in preparing a phased roadmap for sustainable and inclusive TVET development.
This initiative is part of the broader “India-UN for the Global South: Delivering for Development” programme, which channels India’s development experience into actionable strategies for Global South countries. UNESCO’s collaboration with India’s Ministry of External Affairs and Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, supported by NIESBUD and NSDC, aims to institutionalize structured engagement between public institutions and private sector actors. Consultations, needs assessments, and stakeholder dialogues are integral to building effective PPP governance frameworks and enhancing TVET delivery.
Overall, UNESCO’s TVET initiative seeks to use education and employment as tools to promote peace and a sustainable economy in South Sudan, addressing challenges posed by political instability, armed conflict, and humanitarian crises. By equipping South Sudanese actors with knowledge and practical skills from India’s successful models, the project aims to foster inclusive economic growth, strengthen institutional capacity, and improve the relevance and quality of vocational training across the country.
