LearnLink Projects: EGYPT: WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT

Workforce Development: Subcommittee IV Secretariat for the U.S.-Egyptian Partnership

LearnLink joined an innovative partnership in 1998, serving as a Secretariat to support the work of a subcommittee of the U.S.-Egypt Partnership for Economic Growth and Development. This Partnership was launched in 1994 by Vice President Gore and Egyptian President Mubarak. Operating through a public and private sector dialogue, the Partnership promoted policies leading to economic growth and job creation in Egypt and to mutually beneficial economic and commercial ties between the two countries.

Recognizing that an educated workforce must form the basis of Egypt's development strategy, the Partnership established Subcommittee IV (SCIV) to develop and test strategies, systems and structures to enable Egypt to flourish in the global economy of the future. SCIV's mandate was to improve education policies and practices in ways that furthered private sector growth in Egypt.

LearnLink provided SCIV with information on best educational practices; disseminated information on advances in educational technologies; exchanged models, methods and policies for achieving universal basic education; engaged the private sector in setting educational goals; provided a vehicle for communication, exchange and logistical support for SCIV meetings; and provided Co-Chairs with technical expertise and advice focused on the Partnership's goals.

The Subcommittee achieved the following objectives through its Secretariat office in Cairo, Egypt and with support from LearnLink staff in Washington, D.C.:

(a) Educating the Future Technical Workforce - SCIV improved the skills of entry-level technical workers through decentralized public-private partnerships between the Ministry of Education and business associations. In the Governorate of Alexandria, the Baltimore, MD - Alexandria Sister City Program served as the vehicle for bringing U.S. school-to-work program experience to Egypt.

(b) Training the Current Workforce - SCIV supported initiatives to help define and deliver skills required by private sector employers to enhance their global economic competitiveness. Specific initiatives included training English language and computer technology teachers and developing Master Teachers in Egypt through an exchange program designed by the U.S. Department of Education and implemented in Egypt by USAID.

(c) Improving Access to Computers for Egyptian Students - The Ministry of Education made great progress in providing schools with computer equipment. SCIV worked with the Egyptian private sector to enhance the Ministry's efforts through pilot projects such as the Sharkeya computer club, an innovative approach to allow access to school computers after school, on weekends, and during vacations.

(d) Empowering Girls - SCIV worked closely with USAID educational program specialists to monitor progress on the delivery of girls' education services, especially in rural areas with the largest gender gaps.

(e) Enriching Environmental Education - SCIV was instrumental in forging linkages between the Ministry of State for Environmental Affairs and the Ministry of Education, culminating in an Environmental Education Memorandum of Cooperation that included doubling the number of GLOBE schools, integrating Green Corner activities into schools, and enhancing environmental education materials for industrial schools.

(f) Sharing Educational Practices - SCIV conducted policy meetings between U.S. and Egyptian educators, government decision-makers, and private businessmen. These meetings facilitated the sharing of educational practices and experiences and built relationships to foster communication and cooperation on mutual interests.

The Subcommittee coordinated with the Presidents' Council and with each of the other Subcommittees to form linkages that supported the overall goals of the Partnership. The Subcommittee also sought out the opinions and perspectives of the private sectors in each country to strengthen education and training policies and practices.

For more information, contact ict@aed.org