Skills Assessment Survey and analysis in the construction, tourism and agriculture
sectors in Egypt

Description

Within the framework of the European Neighborhood Policy Instrument (ENPI), migration is described as one of the key priorities for action in the EU–Egypt action plan drafted in June 2007. It stipulates cooperation on the joint management of migration flows (both legal and illegal), equal treatment and social integration for legal migrants, and asylum issues.

Based on the evidence that education and training can make a fundamental contribution to socio-economic development, the ETF considers system reform in education and training as a cornerstone for efficient human resource strategies. In this frame ETF conducted in 2006-2007 a study on the migration profile for Egyptian university and vocational education graduates. The study investigated the type and extent of impact education and training have on the employment prospects of migrants and highlighted the importance of knowledge regarding skill composition of the migration flow as well as the skills required to meet the needs of the national and international labor market.

The project “Human Resources Development Contribution to Migration Policy” is a result of a joint initiative in 2008 involving the ETF, Italian Cooperation, MoMM and other donors. The project concentrates on skill needs in sectors likely to produce migrants and their relationship to the Egypt’s national qualification framework (NQF)

This project provides sector skills analysis and investigate the impact of skills on migration. It will also provide derived policy recommendations presented to and discussed with a selected group of Egyptian stakeholders.

The ETF has contracted North South Consultants Exchange (NSCE) to facilitate the implementation of the project presented above, through providing support to the ETF team in the implementation of “skill assessment survey” in agriculture, tourism and construction sectors.

Services

In order to reach the objective of the assignment, a quantitative and qualitative survey will be undertaken in the greater Cairo and Delta as follow:

• A literature review including a review of secondary data related to labour skills profile assessments and enhancement as well as vocational education and training role in the sectors of agriculture, tourism and construction and their selected sub-sectors;
• A quantitative survey with employers; (companies that have; more than 100 employees in construction sector, more than 50 employees in tourism sector (4 and 5 stars hotels) and unpredefined criteria for the agriculture sector (would be identified during sectors’ mapping phase). The sample is segregated among the following sub-sectors as mentioned in the assignment ToR (30 companies per each sub-sector, in total 150 interviews per sector):
  • Agriculture: Pruner; Animal care, Green house, Driver of agricultural equipment, Maintenance of agricultural equipment;
  • Tourism: Hotels covered through: Hot Food Processing; Pastry processing (Pizza Maker); Front Desk Officer; Fast Food Steward Waiter; Room attendant
  • Construction: “Building and Public Works”: Plastering; Brick and Block Works; Carpentry & Joinery; Scaffolding; Earthmoving (Heavy Plant Equip)/Operating
    Loaders and Bulldozers.

The sample of the field research is identified to fulfill specified criteria, representative different sub-sectors (based on sectors’ mapping report) as stated in the assignment ToR, developed by the ETF. The quantitative field survey will use instrument (structured questionnaire) that has been developed by the ETF:

• A qualitative survey (focus groups discussions) with employers of; trend setting companies where occupational profiles are representing and have remarkable market share in the sector and relevant stakeholders.
• The sample for the qualitative survey will consist of 2 focus group discussions per sector (a total of 6 group discussions).
• The qualitative field survey will use instrument (guideline) that has been developed by the ETF.