2008年-世界发展银行全球_Skills_Development_in_the_Informal_Sector_of_Sub-Saharan_Africa_23页_840kb

Summary of Skills Development in the Informal Sector of Sub-Saharan Africa

Core Content

The informal sector in Sub-Saharan Africa has evolved from being a temporary safety net for unemployed individuals to a preferred destination for many, especially youths and entrepreneurs. It plays a significant role in the region's economy, contributing to GDP and providing employment opportunities that are often more accessible than formal sector jobs. As the sector grows, so does the need for skills development to enhance productivity and earnings for its workforce.

Main Points

• Rise of the Informal Sector:

  • The informal sector has become a major employment source, especially in countries where formal sector job growth is stagnant.
  • It is increasingly seen as a viable path for entrepreneurship and self-employment, with workers acquiring higher education and skills that lead to better earnings.

• Economic Contribution:

  • The informal sector accounts for an average of 42% of GDP in 23 African countries.
  • In South Africa, it contributes between 7 and 12% of GDP despite a larger formal sector.
  • Informal employment is concentrated in trade, construction, manufacturing, and services, with some countries reporting over 90% of employment in the informal sector when including agricultural activities.

• Characteristics of Informal Sector Employment:

  • Self-employment is the dominant form of employment in the informal sector.
  • Many informal sector workers are own-account workers or unpaid family workers, often women, who are home-based and under-represented in statistics.
  • The sector is marked by low education levels, but this is changing as more educated youth enter it, leading to higher earnings potential.

• Skills Development in the Informal Sector:

  • Skills are acquired through various means, including public and private education, on-the-job training, and apprenticeships.
  • The informal sector requires multi-skilled workers who can perform multiple functions, unlike the formal sector where specialization is more common.
  • Workers often cannot afford long training periods, necessitating flexible and accessible training models.

Key Information

Measurement Challenges

• The ILO introduced a statistical definition for the informal sector in 1993, which has been expanded to include informal employment in 2003.
• Informal employment can occur both within and outside the informal sector, and its measurement is complex due to varying national definitions.
• Differences in criteria such as enterprise size, registration status, and geographic coverage lead to inconsistencies in cross-country comparisons.

Education and Training in the Informal Sector

• Public Sector:

  • Public technical and vocational education (TVET) programs have been slow to adapt to the needs of the informal sector.
  • These programs often focus on theoretical education and white-collar jobs, lacking practical training and flexibility.
  • Some countries have introduced entrepreneurship education, which aims to develop attitudes and skills for self-employment, though its impact is not immediate.
  • Modular and competency-based curricula are seen as a way to improve accessibility and flexibility.

• Private Sector:

  • Private institutions, both for-profit and non-profit, have been more responsive to the growing demand for skills in the informal sector.
  • For-profit institutions are often concentrated in urban areas and offer short, modular courses tailored to "just-in-time" learning.
  • Quality and affordability vary, with some institutions providing low-cost training but lacking accreditation and standardization.

• NGOs and Community-Based Organizations:

  • Non-governmental organizations, including churches and international agencies, play a vital role in providing training and support services.
  • These organizations often link training with micro-credit and small business incubators, offering a holistic approach to skills development.

Gaps and Recommendations

• There is a need for better data collection and harmonization of definitions to enable meaningful comparisons across countries.
• Skills development in the informal sector requires flexible, accessible, and practical training approaches.
• Investment in adult education and literacy, as well as second-chance education for those who missed early education opportunities, is critical.
• Encouraging cooperation between training institutions and private enterprises can help improve quality and reduce costs.
• Policies should focus on expanding skills development in the informal sector to improve welfare and reduce poverty.

Conclusion

The informal sector in Sub-Saharan Africa is a crucial part of the economy, offering employment and income opportunities to a large portion of the population. However, it faces challenges in terms of measurement, education, and training. A more tailored and flexible approach to skills development is necessary to address these challenges and improve the livelihoods of those in the sector. The chapter outlines a framework for further research and policy development to support this goal.