One of the challenges facing the Beninese authorities is the integration of young people into the work environment. The structure of the Benin economy is responsible for this. In fact, it is characterized by a poorly developed private sector. That is compounded by the systematic way people are recruited into civil service. All this leads to unemployment, which affects almost 72% of the labor force, especially young people according to the National Agency for the Promotion of Employment. In that way, as far as employment is concerned, young people left out from the classical education system are penalized and vulnerable. The agricultural sector, mobilizing nearly 75% of the population, has a high potential for job creation in favor of young people. To help along the state of Benin in its policy of promoting the employment of young people, the NGO Bouge has set up a mechanism to recruit, train and follow various categories of young people towards a successful integration into the work environment. The NGO’s training Centre Bouge represents a strategic tool at the heart of this incubator that ensures the development of young people’s skills in agro-business.
In-home training
The Centre Bouge works with fruitful educational sessions and adequate hotel infrastructure, providing a suitable area for different people learning. Training curricula developed according to a value chain approach and entrepreneurship in agro-business allows learners to develop knowledge, know-how to be necessary for bringing out on the labour market. (Pictures of various sessions at the Centre with learners)