“The vocational training sector will be strengthened starting next year by introducing new specializations aligned with labor market needs,” announced Ilyes Cherif, Director General of the Tunisian Agency for Vocational Training (ATFP).
In an interview with AfricanManager, Cherif revealed that these new specializations will include professional training in electric vehicle maintenance and hybrid vehicle maintenance.
He confirmed that these programs will be accessible to youth beginning with the February 2026 session.
The training center will be located in the governorate of Béja, where preparations are underway and equipment installation is in progress.
Cherif further explained that the specialization in electric vehicle mechanics aligns with Tunisia’s broader national shift toward new technologies and modern industry trends.
Notably, Tunisia is working on the “Automotive Smart City” project, a strategic initiative aimed at developing the electric and smart vehicle industry in Tunisia and enhancing its position in the global value chain.
The project targets $300 million in investment, aims to increase Tunisia’s automotive component exports to 13.5 billion dinars by 2027 and seeks to create 150,000 new job opportunities.
Cherif emphasized that the ATFP is the most important structure within Tunisia’s vocational training system, as it covers all economic sectors.
The agency currently offers 43,000 training positions across more than 130 centers nationwide.
Cooperation with Italy
Cherif highlighted that vocational training provides a fresh pathway for integration into both the domestic and international job markets.
He noted the agency has signed multiple agreements and partnerships, most notably with Italy, aiming to place vocational training graduates into high-demand sectors of the Italian job market, such as welding and metal construction.
“This five-year agreement with Italy is part of efforts to strengthen cooperation between Tunisia and Italy in the fields of employment, vocational training and organized migration,” he stated.
He added that the agreement will also help channel graduates from vocational training centers into other specialties according to the needs of Italian businesses.
Regarding closed vocational training centers, the Director General stated that their number is very limited and that renovation and maintenance work will begin in 2026, allowing them to resume activities and accommodate the maximum number of trainees.
It is worth noting that Tunisia has consistently prioritized vocational training, a sector that has seen steady development over the years.
A comprehensive reform of the vocational training system remains a key element in facilitating youth integration into the labor market and tackling unemployment.
According to recent figures from the Ministry of Vocational Training and Employment, Tunisia currently has 136 public vocational training centers with a total capacity of 90,000 trainees, offering 270 different specialties. The private sector operates 3,000 centers, serving 40,000 trainees.
