News

INPP in Haut-Katanga has launched the DRC’s first nationally structured training programme in heavy equipment maintenance under the Support to Training and Qualified Employment Project (PAFEQ).

Heavy Equipment Maintenance: 36 Technicians Begin Training at INPP Haut-Katanga — A Structural Breakthrough for Skills Development

UNIDO announced that the LKDF, in partnership with Sida, has been awarded the 4th GEM Award for its strong contribution to women’s empowerment.

Press Release: UNIDO and Sida’s Partnership, LKDF, Receives GEM Award for Advancing Gender Equality in Industry

The Government of the Republic of Zambia, in partnership with the Government of Japan, Hitachi Construction Machinery Zambia, and UNIDO, inaugurated a modern Heavy Equipment Operator Training Workshop.

Zambia, Japan, Hitachi Construction Machinery, and UNIDO Launch Modern Facility to Boost Training on Demand-Driven Skills and Youth Employment Opportunities.

She was a teenage mother in a remote village. Now she operates heavy machinery for Zambia’s largest agribusiness. 

A Story of Resilience: Demand-Driven Skills Opening Doors for Young Women

UN Assistant Secretary-General for Youth Affairs, Felipe Paullier, undertook a high-level visit to UNIDO’s flagship PAFEQ project.

UN Assistant Secretary-General for Youth visits UNIDO’s PAFEQ Project in the DRC: advancing skills development and responsible industrial transformation

The DRC's flagship support to the PAFEQ project is entering a decisive implementation phase, with state-of-the-art Centers of Excellence in heavy equipment and commercial vehicle maintenance.

PAFEQ Accelerates Heavy Equipment Skills Development as Centers of Excellence Near Launch in the DRC

UNIDO's Youth Rising project joined the Government of Liberia and other actors for an inspiring International Youth Day 2025 celebration centered on skills, innovation, and opportunity.

UNIDO Joins Government of Liberia and Partners to Celebrate International Youth Day with Liberia Skills Competition National Edition 2025

At the 2025 UN High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF) in New York, States highlighted the importance of inclusive and sustainable industrial development for economic diversification, productive capacities and income generation. 

At the HLPF, industrialization resonates as a driver of job creation and economic growth

Hear from participants and partners about the impact of the "Project for Promoting Youth Employment Through Construction Equipment Operating Skills Training" as 70 graduate.

Training the Trainers, Transforming the Sector: 70 Graduates Equipped for Zambia’s Mining and Construction Industries

Hitachi Construction Machinery Zambia (HCMZ) officially handed over a motion-based rigid Dump Truck Simulator to KVTC on 27th May 2025 during one of Zambia’s largest platforms for showcasing industrial innovation and partnerships.

KVTC Receives Simulator Donation from Hitachi to Boost Operator Skills Training

On July 2, 2025, BWI automotive students handed over a car they restored, adding to EU-donated training tools. Instructors praised it as proof of teamwork and real-world skills.

Automotive Students at BWI Boost EU, UNIDO and GoL Support with Second Training Vehicle

At DRC Mining Week, UNIDO showcased the Support Project for Training and Qualified Employment (PAFEQ), implemented in the provinces of Haut-Katanga and Lualaba.

UNIDO at the DRC Mining Week: Training a Skilled Workforce to Meet Maintenance Demand in the Mining Sector

UNIDO played a leading role at the 6th edition of the Katanga Business Meeting (KBM), held from May 15 to 17, 2025 in Kolwezi, Lualaba Province, under the theme: “Building Our Future.”

Strategic Participation of UNIDO at the 6th Katanga Business Meeting: Strengthening Synergies for Quality Training in the DRC

Discover how the LKDF Forum 2025, "Skills Development and Local Value Addition," in Gothenburg, Sweden, brought together skills development leaders and supply chain professionals.

Building Local Value Through Skills Development at the LKDF Forum 2025

The United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), the Government of Sierra Leone, and the Government of Japan officially inaugurated the Centre of Excellence for Automotive Training at Freetown Polytechnic’s Kissy Campus. 

UNIDO, Sierra Leone and Japan Inaugurate Centre of Excellence to Drive Youth Employment in the Automotive Sector

NORTEC, with UNIDO’s support through ZAMITA, is transforming technical education by integrating digital tools and platforms, ensuring equal access to quality education for both in-class and remote learners.

Bridging the Digital Divide: How NORTEC is Preparing to Transform Technical Education with UNIDO’s ZAMITA Project

At Expo Béton 2025, UNIDO showcased the PAFEQ project’s progress, highlighting the new Center of Excellence in Lubumbashi, which aims to address the DRC’s shortage of skilled technicians in heavy equipment and vehicle maintenance.

Expo Béton 2025: UNIDO Positioned as a Key Partner in Supporting Vocational Training in the DRC

UNIDO's ZAMITA project is enhancing Zambia’s vocational trainers by providing advanced technical and instructional training at NORTEC. This empowers 10 institutions to prepare a new generation of industry-ready technicians.

Empowering Educators to Drive Technical Excellence Across Ten Vocational Training Institutions in Zambia

Resilient and sustainable supply chains need local production and skilled workers. UNIDO together with its global partners connect training with industry needs to support fair, green, and growing economies.

Local Value, Global Impact: Skills Development for Sustainable Supply Chains

In a male-dominated industry, Maima G. Manobah refused to let barriers define her. From an uncertain graduate to Inventory Control Coordinator at CFAO Mobility Liberia, her journey is one of resilience and ambition.

Breaking Barriers: Maima G. Manobah&#8217;s Journey

On International Women’s Day, we highlight women’s role in industrial skills development. Public-Private Development Partnerships (PPDP) empower women in male-dominated industries, fostering economic growth, sustainability, and inclusivity. 

Empowering Women through Industrial Skills: A Path to Sustainable Growth 

In recognition of the International Anti-Corruption Day, it is crucial to consider how integrity within Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) can be fostered to prevent corruption and promote development across sectors.

Corruption and the Importance of Integrity in TVET

Discover how the LKDF Forum 2024, "Skills for Critical Raw Materials Supply Chains," in Kitwe, Zambia, brought together skills development leaders and CRM supply chain professionals.

Driving Sustainable Progress: Skills Development for Critical Raw Materials at the LKDF Forum 2024

Sustainable mining practices require skilled individuals. UNIDO and global partners drive sustainable mining practices, bridging the skills gap to secure strong CRM supply chains and build a resilient workforce.

Mining’s New Frontier: Ensuring Sustainable Practices for the Green and Digital Transitions

UNIDO and Festo's collaboration, featuring expert Mr. Angora Aman, has successfully advanced vocational training and youth employability in Africa, showcasing the power of strategic partnerships for global development.

First UNIDO Private Sector Partner-Expert Successfully Concludes Assignment

An all-female auto mechanics class at NORTEC in Zambia is breaking gender barriers in technical education, empowering women to pursue careers in traditionally male-dominated fields and inspiring change for future generations.

Shattering Stereotypes in Zambia: How NORTEC’s All-Female Class is Driving Gender Equality in Technical Education

Equipping teachers with the skills to craft wooden crutches, advancing inclusivity for students with disabilities in Liberia's vocational education system.

Empowering Inclusion – &#8220;Youth Rising” Project Concludes Weeklong Training for Teachers on the production of Wooden Walking Crutches

Experts from UNIDO and UNESCO-UNEVOC talked about the internationalization of Vocational Education and Training (VET) and green skills development around the world at the Greenovet Conference.

UNIDO and UNESCO-UNEVOC Promote Green Skills Development at Greenovet Conference

Emily Mumba, a heavy equipment operator, breaks stereotypes and empowers others in her male-dominated field. Read her journey and dream big — one machine at a time.

Breaking Ground, Building Dreams: A Woman&#8217;s Journey in Heavy Equipment Operation

This International Education Day, we celebrate the dedicated educators worldwide who play a pivotal role in equipping youth with industrial skills. 

Celebrating International Education Day

Explore how the instructors from the GTI Freetown Polytechnic enhanced their expertise during a capacity building training, designed by UNIDO, that spanned five countries and covered 17 technical modules.

Meet the educators driving skills development in the automotive maintenance sector in Sierra Leone

EU and UNIDO team up to stimulate agribusiness development in vulnerable areas in the Philippines.

Bangsamoro Agri-Enterprise Programme – Inclusive Agribusiness Development for Human Security

In Fayoum, Egypt, the Rabeha programme, a joint initiative of UN Women and UNIDO, is empowering women handicraft entrepreneurs like Sara Ashraf and Fatema Mawla.  

Sewing Success: UN Joint Programme &#8216;Rabeha&#8217; empowers Women-Led Businesses in Egypt&#8217;s Handicrafts Sector

On the 13th and 14th of November 2023, the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO)’s Learning and Knowledge Development Facility (LKDF), convened its annual forum. 

Addressing the need for skills development in global supply chains at the LKDF Forum 2023

Discover How a UNIDO Program Transformed a Traditional Egyptian Pottery Village into a Thriving Artistic Hub

Egyptian potters from rural cluster celebrate great success with their new products after UNIDO training

Celebrating the United Nation’s International Day of Rural Women on October 15, by shining a light on the inspiring women supported by the ‘Women Economic Empowerment for Inclusive and Sustainable Growth in Egypt’ programme, also known as ‘Rabeha'. 

Rabeha: Empowering Women in Rural Egypt

Celebrating International Day of the Girl Child, through the stories of Mwenya Marvis and Enala Msimuko who are breaking barriers in the field of automotive engineering. 

Girls Leading the Way: Celebrating the Power and Potential of a Girl Child

UNIDO commemorates World Teachers' Day by celebrating some of our esteemed TVET trainees from projects in Liberia and Ethiopia.

Nurturing Potential and Empowering Futures: Recognizing World Teachers&#8217; Day 2023

Partners reinforce their support at official launch events and TVET trainers receive innovating training to prepare youth for the workplace.

Revitalizing TVET in the DRC: Public-private partnership for industrial skills development and youth employment kicks off

UNIDO and Festo Didactic announce the appointment of Mr. Angora Aman as Partner-Expert at UNIDO.

UNIDO Welcomes its First Private Sector Partner-Expert

Success stories from UNIDO's PPDP projects that reveal how empowering young individuals through skills development contributes to a better future.

International Youth Day 2023: Investing in Youth, Sustaining the Future

Nurturing young talent and equipping the next generation with skills for sustainable development.

Youth as agents of change: Collaboration and skills empowerment for a sustainable future

Inspiring Success Stories from Women Entrepreneurs empowered through the Joint Programme ‘Rabeha’.

Celebrating International MSME Day

UNIDO and DGTVET organized a Workshop on Public Private Partnership in Cambodia.  The event aimed to increase the number of youths equipped with employer-demand-driven skills by fostering collaboration between the private sector and TVET institutes.

UNIDO and DGTVET Organize Workshop on Public Private Partnership for Skills Development in Cambodia

Through UNIDO's Youth Rising project, Esther G.I Javillie challenges stereotypes, inspires change, and nurtures the next generation of skilled carpenters.

Breaking Barriers and Empowering Communities in Liberia: Esther Javillie&#8217;s Journey to Carpentry Instruction

METRAC is UNIDO's PPDP project that addresses the skills gap for the operation and maintenance of road construction equipment in Uganda. The training centre is scheduled to start operating in January 2024.

Construction of METRAC begins &#8211; Uganda’s first mechanical engineering training centre

UNIDO – UN Women Joint Programme ‘Rabeha’ provides employability skills training for target sectors to help unlock the full potential of 1,000 women from Giza, Fayoum, Beni Suef and Minya. 

Rabeha Programme Empowers Egyptian Women on their Journey to Employment

UNIDO promotes the integration of countries into domestic, regional and global value chains in a manner that is socially just, environmentally sustainable and economically inclusive. Learn more.

UNIDO’s Approach to Supporting Sustainable Supply Chains

UNIDO and Sida organized a workshop to celebrate the achievements of the LKDF and to discuss potential new Public-Private Development Partnership (PPDP) projects.

LKDF and Sida celebrate ten years of effective Public-Private Development Partnerships

The instructors will be assigned to various TVET institutions currently funded by the European Union and the government of Sweden, strengthening Liberia's TVET sector.

Strengthening Liberia’s TVET sector: 12 Carpentry Instructors complete training in South Africa

UNIDO’s Rabeha project is empowering women in Egypt with job-ready skills. The initiative is creating a more inclusive workplace in the date palm sector.

Uniting for gender equality in Egypt’s date palm sector

UNIDO's Learning and Knowledge Development Facility (LKDF) and UNESCO-UNEVOC hosted a training workshop on the Market Systems Development (MSD) approach.

LKDF and UNESCO-UNEVOC host training for greener and more resilient TVET systems

Interview with Katherine Jin, co-founder, scientist, and STEM advocate.

What does it mean to be resilient in STEM?

UNIDO and its partners have established the Mechanical Engineering Training and Advisory Centre in Uganda - the first training facility for road construction equipment operators.

TVET to support women stepping into men-dominated fields: UNIDO&#8217;s project in Uganda points the way

Comparing the impact of demand‐ and supply‐side policies on youth labour mobility. 

Tackling youth unemployment and building economic resilience through skills training

The course will be delivered through a blended training programme that includes week-intensive face-to-face training sessions in Liberia and Finland and remote learning.

Government of Liberia and partners kickoff 24 months TVET Teacher Trainer Training Course

Such initiatives improve the learning outcomes of teachers by infusing the MIT-style “learning-by-doing” to enable hands-on science and math regardless of resource constraints.

Connecting STEM &#038; TVET: Government of Liberia and partners conclude a 3-day training workshop on STEM

How can SMEs best manage the increasingly complex business environment and in our new volatile, uncertain, complex and ambiguous times?

Small and medium enterprises&#8217; resilience and viability in turbulent times

Experts from a wide range of sectors discussed resilience in skills from an individual, institutional, educational system (TVET) and private sector level on 19 and 20 October 2022.

Press Release: UNIDO’s third virtual edition of the LKDF Forum responds to the importance of skills development and a resilient workforce

UNIDO kicks off its annual forum on training (LKDF) with an expert discussion on resilience to prepare youth with skills to better respond to future challenges from climate change to pandemics and conflicts.

The Future Is in Youth’s Hands: New Skills Needed for the Green Transition

UNIDO and its partners have jointly launched the Mechanical Engineering Training and Advisory Centre (METRAC) in Luwero, Uganda - the first dedicated training centre for road construction equipment operators.

Bridging the industrial skills gap in Uganda by investing in people

UNIDO’s LKDF conducted an Expert Group Meeting (EGM) to investigate the importance of resilience in skills development programs.

Press Release: UNIDO’s LKDF Expert Group Meeting on Skills for Resilience

The need to strengthen and invest in people’s and organizations’ resilience has become more important than ever.

Developing Resilience in Skills: Overcoming Challenges and Building Back Better for the Future

A case-study to investigate the main features of the job profile needed in the Textile and Clothing (TC) sector in Egypt.

Identifying Skills Requirements in Emerging Markets with Text Mining: A Case Study on Textile Sector in Egypt

If properly supported and effectively integrated into the job market, it is the African youth that has the potential to transform Africa’s economy sustainably.

Africa&#8217;s Agribusiness Sector is predicted to reach US$1 trillion by 2030 &#8211; what role does the youth play?

For this year’s International Youth Day we call on global leaders for more acknowledgment of the youth's contributions to solving global challenges and their role as drivers of change.

International Youth Day: The Youth in Decision-Making Processes

The LKDF Forum 2022 will convene virtually on 19 and 20 October 2022 under the theme "Skills for Resilience: Are We Ready for a Skills Revolution?".

Registrations for the LKDF Forum 2022 are Open!

These numbers and percentages are not symmetrical for industrialized economies (IEs) and developing and emerging industrial economies (DEIE)

Partnerships for Recovery and Resilience Building &#8211; the Private Sector’s Pivotal Role

The LKDF’s new look emphasizes the platform’s mission to economically and socially ascend the global workforce, and ultimately contribute to systemic change.

Press Release: UNIDO&#8217;s LKDF unveils new logo and visual identity

She was told that the boys in the class would be far better and she should instead focus on other subjects she might be good at.

The Formula for Gender Equality: More Women in STEM-fields

The good news is that there is a solution that allows us to keep on building a thriving global economy while reducing harm to the environment

World Environment Day: Do We Have the Skills to Make the Green Transition Happen?

If you want to go fast you go alone; but if you want to go far, you go together

Skills advancement: making partnerships prosper

For decades, development economists have examined different methods and interventions to address 

Vocational Training Helps Tackle Youth Unemployment, and Here is the Proof

Cultural and creative industries are major drivers of economies by capitalising

Creative Industries for Inclusive Development: the Mechanism and Skills Building

According to the report, green skills are defined as those skills that “enable the environmental sustainability of economic activities”.

The Skills for the Green Economy: Upskilling for a Sustainable Future

Industrial Analytics Platform and has been published here with permission.

How can we close the industrial skills gap?

This gender disparity in labour force especially manifests in tech-related jobs.

Women can Tech, and Women should Tech

On International Women’s Day, we acknowledge women’s achievements and advancements towards gender parity.

Less than 2 out of 10 CEOs are women. How can we change that?

Every business evolves as a result of technological advancements in the transport and communication industry.

Developing mechanical skills through partnerships

Access to education for those who grow up in crisis can be a major challenge,

Refugee Inclusion – Technical Education and Skills Development for the Displaced

The Learning and Knowledge Development Facility is thrilled to announce that the Outcome

Available now &#8211; Read the Outcome Book of the #LKDForum 2021

A Chinese proverb says that if you are planning for a year, you should sow rice.

Investing in Technical Education for Poverty Alleviation

AfriCity has won this year’s African edition of WorldSkills’ social entrepreneur training programme

BeChangeMaker Africa 2021 won by data insights company from South Africa

The commitment to a more climate-resilient practice needs to be adopted by all parties

Livestream invitation – Partnering for Green Innovation: What Role can a Hackathon Play?

Engaging more Women in Technical and Vocational Education and Training

Young people play a decisive role in the achievement of the 2030 Agenda

These Youth Could Make Agribusiness Greener &#8211; Highlights of the LKDF Hackathon 2021

To address the industrial skills gap in Uganda,

UNIDO concludes Uganda’s first digital curriculum development workshop, launches a curriculum for road construction equipment operator trainers, and hands over simulators to the Ministry of Works and Transport

With a focus on digital skills and social inclusion

#LKDForum 2021 Highlights &#8211; Digital Skills for an Inclusive Future

Get the chance to be among the 10 teams who will develop solutions

Apply Now for the #LKDForum 2021 Hackathon!

How to Spark Innovation: Inclusivity as a Backbone

The LKDF Forum 2021 will convene virtually on 22 September

#LKDForum 2021 &#8211; Registrations Open!

There is an enormous workforce that requires education to match the current and future demands of local private sector industries.

Take the LKDF survey and get an individual invitation to the EDD21 + the chance to win other prizes!

One effective way of moving progress forward and achieving several

The Decade of Action – Africa for the Sustainable Development Goals

Inspirational Story: Mechanic going against odds

Government of Japan, the Government of Uganda through the Ministry of Works and Transport (MoWT) and UNIDO

UNIDO and the Government of Uganda started eLearning courses for road construction equipment trainers in Kampala, preparing national rollout

Volvo Group’s Vocational School projects in Africa put young people in work,

Training youth &#8211; to support business and society

Challenging social biases often require assiduous and consistent efforts.

Promoting Gender Equality for Industrial Development – What Can We Do?

What are green skills? by Charles ARTHUR

The Learning and Knowledge Development Facility promotes industrial skills development

The LKDF and Greening: A Snapshot of the Green Skills Paper Presented at the LKDF Forum 2020

To address the industrial skills gap in Uganda, the Government of Japan

UNIDO and the Government of Uganda start construction preparations for Uganda’s first training centre for road construction equipment operators, in Luweero

The COVID-19 crisis is having a significant impact on millions of people worldwide.

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