Launch of ILO project signals Samoa’s commitment to Youth Employment
Apia - Youth employment is a key priority in the development of Samoa, this is according to Youth Minister, Hon. Tolofuaivalelei Falemoe Leiataua, Minister of Women, Community and Social Development for Samoa.
The Government of Samoa showed high level support at the launch of the Samoa National Action Plan on Youth Employment Project (SNAP on YE) with the presence of the Prime Minister Hon. Tuilaepa Sailele Lupesoliai Malielegaoi at the event. “The Government of Samoa continues to support the development of our young people through various programs and activities,” Tolofuaivalelei said.
Well over 200 stakeholders including youth groups, private sector partners, workers representatives, Government and NGO representatives took part in the launch on the 6th March 2015.
“We continue to mainstream employment creation and opportunities for young people in its Strategy for Development (2012-2016). It is also a policy priority in the National Youth Policy (2011-2015) with the main focus on youth entrepreneurship, employment creation and pathways, skills development and youth in the informal economy,” said Tolofuaivalelei.
ILO was represented by Mr. Satoshi Sasaki, Decent Work Specialist for the Pacific. “Currently, youth unemployment rate is estimated around 16% and underemployment remain critical development challenges for Samoa. A key challenge in Samoa is its young unskilled and unqualified workforce. 40% of young people left school without graduating, the majority falling out of the school system during secondary education,” Sasaki said. He thanked the Government of Samoa for being a key partner in implementing the project, and in turn the Minister commended the work of the ILO in promoting decent work for youth.
Sustainable decent job opportunities for youth was identified as one of the key priorities to be addressed in the Samoa National Action Plan on Youth Employment by stakeholders from across all sectors.
“We don’t need just any jobs for young people, we need sustainable decent jobs that are desired by young people,” said Maulolo Tavita, the Director of Samoa Cultural Center, a training facility for out of school youth on traditional skills.
The other priorities identified during a inception workshop for the SNAP on YE project, which brought together over 60 key stakeholders in youth employment, included strengthening education and training sector to ensure that a jobs-skills match, the strengthening of employment services and focusing on the gap in the transition from school to work.
A common theme discussed in all priorities was culture and how it impacts youth engagement in the workforce.
“The case of youth unemployment in Samoa must always consider cultural factors, because it does have a very strong influence on the lives of young people, so we have to respect the role of the Samoan culture and how it affects youth employment,” said Lagipoiva Cherelle Jackson, National Project Coordinator for SNAP on YE.
Well over 200 stakeholders including youth groups, private sector partners, workers representatives, Government and NGO representatives took part in the launch on the 6th March 2015.
“We continue to mainstream employment creation and opportunities for young people in its Strategy for Development (2012-2016). It is also a policy priority in the National Youth Policy (2011-2015) with the main focus on youth entrepreneurship, employment creation and pathways, skills development and youth in the informal economy,” said Tolofuaivalelei.
ILO was represented by Mr. Satoshi Sasaki, Decent Work Specialist for the Pacific. “Currently, youth unemployment rate is estimated around 16% and underemployment remain critical development challenges for Samoa. A key challenge in Samoa is its young unskilled and unqualified workforce. 40% of young people left school without graduating, the majority falling out of the school system during secondary education,” Sasaki said. He thanked the Government of Samoa for being a key partner in implementing the project, and in turn the Minister commended the work of the ILO in promoting decent work for youth.
Stakeholders identify key priorities
Sustainable decent job opportunities for youth was identified as one of the key priorities to be addressed in the Samoa National Action Plan on Youth Employment by stakeholders from across all sectors.“We don’t need just any jobs for young people, we need sustainable decent jobs that are desired by young people,” said Maulolo Tavita, the Director of Samoa Cultural Center, a training facility for out of school youth on traditional skills.
The other priorities identified during a inception workshop for the SNAP on YE project, which brought together over 60 key stakeholders in youth employment, included strengthening education and training sector to ensure that a jobs-skills match, the strengthening of employment services and focusing on the gap in the transition from school to work.
A common theme discussed in all priorities was culture and how it impacts youth engagement in the workforce.
“The case of youth unemployment in Samoa must always consider cultural factors, because it does have a very strong influence on the lives of young people, so we have to respect the role of the Samoan culture and how it affects youth employment,” said Lagipoiva Cherelle Jackson, National Project Coordinator for SNAP on YE.