Case Study: Update on improving apprenticeship in the informal economy in Togo
In Togo, there is strong social recognition among the population of traditional apprenticeship as a way of qualifying in a trade. Craftspersons simply transform their workshops/enterprises into training centres that take on apprentices for a set period on the basis of a written or oral contract with the apprentice or their parents/guardians.
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Context of apprenticeship in the crafts sector
In Togo, there is strong social recognition among the population of traditional apprenticeship as a way of qualifying in a trade. Craftspersons simply transform their workshops/enterprises into training centres that take on apprentices for a set period on the basis of a written or oral contract with the apprentice or their parents/guardians. The latter agree to pay apprenticeship fees for the duration of the training at the workshop/enterprise, and often release fees at the end of training for the certificate to be issued under the supervision of the professional trade body, generally referred to as a union. Craftspersons in Togo are organized into local (town) trade unions within craft guilds. In addition to the trade unions, there are chambers of trade, which are structured from the bottom (department or region) upwards (national level), and which date back further than the trade unions. The trade unions and chambers of trade work together to organize the training of apprentices, although there are still leadership disputes between the two entities in certain local areas.
Given the positive social recognition of traditional apprenticeship and the poor internal efficiency of the education system, Togo has a large number of apprentices in comparison to the number of learners registered in the formal technical and vocational education and training (TVET) system. Indeed, while the formal TVET system has around 50,000 learners, traditional apprenticeships are undertaken by more than 250,000 apprentices in the 170 trades listed in the craft trades register in Togo.
In Togo, there is strong social recognition among the population of traditional apprenticeship as a way of qualifying in a trade. Craftspersons simply transform their workshops/enterprises into training centres that take on apprentices for a set period on the basis of a written or oral contract with the apprentice or their parents/guardians. The latter agree to pay apprenticeship fees for the duration of the training at the workshop/enterprise, and often release fees at the end of training for the certificate to be issued under the supervision of the professional trade body, generally referred to as a union. Craftspersons in Togo are organized into local (town) trade unions within craft guilds. In addition to the trade unions, there are chambers of trade, which are structured from the bottom (department or region) upwards (national level), and which date back further than the trade unions. The trade unions and chambers of trade work together to organize the training of apprentices, although there are still leadership disputes between the two entities in certain local areas.
Given the positive social recognition of traditional apprenticeship and the poor internal efficiency of the education system, Togo has a large number of apprentices in comparison to the number of learners registered in the formal technical and vocational education and training (TVET) system. Indeed, while the formal TVET system has around 50,000 learners, traditional apprenticeships are undertaken by more than 250,000 apprentices in the 170 trades listed in the craft trades register in Togo.