Author: sarah

A workshop was held in Benghazi on September 17–18, 2025, dedicated to drafting the Guide for Organizing Field Training within Higher Education Institutions in Libya.

The workshop, hosted by the Faculty of Electrical and Electronic Technology – Benghazi and the Libyan International University, was attended by members of the guide development team, the Expertise France team, as well as a group of specialists and academics.

Over the two days, discussions focused on developing the main framework of the guidelines and drafting the first version. This included proposed legal amendments, reviewing training models, and defining official communication channels between educational institutions and the labor market.

This workshop is part of the activities of the first component of the EU4SKILLS project, funded by the European Union with co-financing from the French government, and implemented by Expertise France Libya in cooperation with local partners. The project aims to bridge the skills gap and strengthen employment governance, thereby contributing to more inclusive and sustainable economic development.

In line with efforts to promote the blue economy as one of the pathways to sustainable development in Libya, Tripoli hosted on Sunday, September 14, 2025, a workshop aimed at setting priorities and developing an action plan for a capacity-building program and strengthening quality assurance in Libya’s fisheries sector. The workshop was organized to advance this vital sector, improve the quality of its products, and raise its readiness to compete in global markets in line with international standards.

The workshop saw broad participation that included representatives of national government institutions, regulatory bodies, research and academic institutions, as well as private sector representatives. This provided an important opportunity to exchange expertise and open a comprehensive dialogue on current challenges and future opportunities.

Discussions focused on the state of quality assurance in Libya’s fisheries sector, particularly regarding the implementation of relevant international legislation and agreements. Participants also addressed the identification of training needs required to enhance the efficiency of workers in the sector and the adoption of best practices in fishing, production, and distribution. This is expected to strengthen supply chains and reinforce the confidence of both local and international markets in Libyan fish products, thereby contributing to diversifying the Libyan economy and creating jobs in the sector.

This workshop is part of the activities of the EU4SKILLS project, funded by the European Union with co-financing from the French government and implemented in Libya by Expertise France in cooperation with local partners. The project aims to bridge the skills gap and support employment governance, thereby creating new job opportunities and contributing to more inclusive and sustainable economic development.

 On Tuesday and Wednesday, August 19–20, 2025, a specialized workshop was held to explore ways to improve practical training in the education sector, in coordination between higher and technical education institutions and the labor market.

The workshop was attended by prominent figures, including Dr. Saleh Al-Ghoul, Deputy of the Ministry of Higher Education, Dr. Taher Bin Taher, Deputy of the Ministry of Technical and Vocational Education, Dr. Ali Al-Maqouri, Deputy of the Ministry of Labor and Rehabilitation, Mr. Ali Nasir, Director of the Libyan Industries Union, and Mr. Khaled Bin Othman, Executive Director of The Libyan Council for Oil, Gas & Renewable Energy. Representatives from the University of Benghazi, the University of Tripoli, the Libyan International University, the Faculty of Electrical and Electronic Technology in Benghazi, the General Union of Chambers of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture, and a number of ministries, national institutions, and regulatory and research bodies also attended. The workshop also included the team preparing the employment strategy in higher and technical education, and a team from the Expertise France, headed by Mr. Mohamed Al-Aswad, Deputy Director of Programs for Libya.

This diverse participation created an important opportunity for productive discussions on improving practical training to meet students’ needs. The workshop reviewed local and international experiences, addressed challenges and solutions, clarified stakeholders’ roles, and presented a proposal for a national campaign to promote employment and link education with the labor market.

This workshop builds on a series of previous sessions in which the Technical Team has been diligently drafting a comprehensive National Employment Strategy for Higher and Technical Education in Libya.

The workshop is part of the EU4SKILLS project, funded by the European Union with co-funding from the French government, and implemented in Libya by Expertise France in collaboration with local partners. The project aims to strengthen the blue and green economy, align education and training with labor market needs, develop digital skills, and improve access to finance, contributing to more inclusive and sustainable economic development.

From July 28 to September 17, 2025, and in collaboration with Esprit University in Tunisia, faculty members from various Libyan higher education and technical institutions are taking part in an intensive training program. The initiative is designed to strengthen the skills of participants, particularly academics and experts in the fields of the green economy and digital transformation, by equipping them with modern, interactive, and practice-oriented teaching methods. These efforts aim to improve the quality of education and ensure stronger alignment with the needs of the labor market by developing a labour market-oriented curricula.

Esprit University is a leading institution in engineering and technology, recognized for its innovative pedagogical approaches and successful integration of modern technologies into the learning process.

The training program covers a broad range of topics, including: modern teaching methods and tools, group management and classroom interaction, assessment and continuous improvement, project-based and problem-solving learning, the integration of artificial intelligence in education, and chatbot applications in health and agriculture, alongside other themes that reinforce the effectiveness and quality of higher education.

This program is part of the EU4SKILLS project, funded by the European Union in partnership with the French government and implemented by Expertise France in collaboration with Libyan partners. Its overarching goal is to bridge the gap between education and the labor market, enhance curricula, build skills, and expand employment opportunities, while supporting Libya’s transition toward a more diversified, resilient, and sustainable digital economy.

The EU4Skills project has successfully concluded its assessment phase—the first step of implementation—providing valuable insights into Libya’s current skills and employability landscape. The project, funded by the European Union and co-funded by the French government, was officially launched on August 1st, 2024, with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between Expertise France and the Libyan Ministry of Economy and Trade. Implemented in close partnership with Libyan institutions, the project aims to boost employability and support economic growth by aligning education with labor market needs, promoting digital skills, and developing expertise in the green and blue economies.

In partnership with the Mediterranean Universities Union (UNIMED) and BDO Jordan, the assessment aimed to create a shared and evidence-based understanding of Libya’s employment and skills ecosystem. Its specific objectives included identifying systemic challenges, capacity gaps, and opportunities for reform and gathering stakeholder priorities and expectations.

Conducted over six months, the assessment phase used a mixed-methods approach—combining desk research, targeted surveys, and qualitative tools such as focus groups and interviews with stakeholders across all Libyan regions. This inclusive process engaged policymakers, education providers, public and private sector actors, financial institutions, SMEs and community leaders, providing a well-rounded understanding of Libya’s employability landscape and informing the project’s strategic direction.

For instance, the assessment revealed a marked preference among youth for public-sector employment. In response, the project will incorporate targeted policy recommendations to improve the effectiveness of employment mechanisms and diversify job pathways. Instead of developing new tools, the project will prioritize upgrading existing digital curricula and hiring platforms, avoiding redundancy and optimizing existing resources. The assessment also highlighted key sectors for strategic focus, including the sustainable fisheries sector and implementing the Nexus Approach—an integrated framework that aligns water, energy, and food policies.

Furthermore, the project highlighted areas where the Central Bank of Libya could drive sector-wide reform, particularly in financial innovation and inclusion. It recommends targeted capacity-building support to enhance CBL’s regulatory role in digital payments, Fintech oversight, and sustainable SME finance in alignment with international best practices.

As EU4Skills enters its implementation phase, the project will advance comprehensive employability strategies, strengthen practical learning frameworks, and promote stronger links between education and the labor market. With a focus on digital skills, green and blue economy sectors, and inclusive SME inclusion and job creation, EU4Skills is aligned with Libya’s national priorities and global best practices—empowering young Libyans with the tools and opportunities to thrive in a dynamic employment landscape.

You can read some of the key findings and recommendations from the assessment phase here.