The Short-Term Technical and Vocational Education and Training Certification Modules

As Part of Community Engagement Initiatives – National University of Sudan

 

  1. Background

Sudan is currently facing profound socio-economic challenges following prolonged conflict, population displacement, infrastructure damage, and disruption of formal education and employment systems. Large segments of the population, particularly youth, women, internally displaced persons (IDPs), and returning populations, lack access to practical, market-relevant skills that can enable rapid entry into income-generating activities and support national recovery.

Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) has globally proven to be a highly effective mechanism for bridging the gap between education and employment, especially in fragile and post-conflict settings. Short-term, competency-based TVET certification modules are particularly suited to communities with limited time, resources, and access to long-term academic programmes.

In line with its mandate for community engagement, social responsibility, and national development, the National University of Sudan (NUSU) proposes the establishment of structured short-term TVET certification modules. These modules will leverage the University’s academic expertise, training facilities, and partnerships to provide accessible, high-quality skills training aligned with local labour market needs and community priorities.

  1. Justification

The following considerations justify the proposed initiative:

  1. High Youth Unemployment and Skills Gap

Many graduates and school leavers lack practical, employable skills demanded by local markets.

  1. Post-Conflict Recovery Needs

Communities require rapid skills acquisition to support reconstruction, service delivery, and livelihoods.

  1. Limited Access to Formal Training

Long-term vocational programmes are often inaccessible due to cost, displacement, or insecurity.

  1. University Social Responsibility

As a national institution, NUSU has a responsibility to translate academic knowledge into community benefit.

  1. Alignment with National and International Priorities

The initiative aligns with workforce development, resilience building, and sustainable livelihoods agendas.

  1. Overall Goal

To strengthen community resilience, employability, and livelihoods by providing accessible, market-oriented short-term TVET certification modules through the National University of Sudan’s community engagement framework.

  1. Specific Objectives
  1. To design and deliver short-term, competency-based TVET certification modules aligned with local labour market needs.
  2. To enhance employability and self-employment opportunities for youth, women, and vulnerable groups.
  3. To strengthen the University’s role as a hub for community-responsive skills development.
  4. To foster partnerships with industry, local authorities, NGOs, and development partners.
  5. To contribute to post-conflict recovery and socio-economic stabilisation.
  1. Target Groups
  • Unemployed and underemployed youth
  • Women and female-headed households
  • Internally displaced persons (IDPs) and returnees
  • School leavers and informal sector workers
  • Community members seeking skills upgrading
  1. Priority TVET Areas

Modules will be selected based on needs assessments and may include:

  • Electrical installation and solar systems
  • Plumbing and basic construction skills
  • Automotive and motorcycle maintenance
  • Welding and metal fabrication
  • ICT basics, digital literacy, and mobile phone repair
  • Tailoring, fashion design, and textile production
  • Food processing, catering, and agribusiness skills
  • Health-related support skills (e.g. community health assistants)
  1. Key Activities

7.1 Programme Design and Planning

  • Conduct community and labour market needs assessments
  • Develop competency-based curricula and training manuals
  • Define certification standards and assessment criteria

7.2 Capacity Building

  • Identify and train instructors and technical trainers
  • Upgrade or adapt existing university workshops and facilities

7.3 Programme Implementation

  • Deliver short-term modules (2–12 weeks)
  • Combine theoretical instruction with hands-on practical training
  • Conduct competency-based assessments

7.4 Certification and Accreditation

  • Issue university-endorsed certificates
  • Explore alignment with national TVET authorities and frameworks

7.5 Partnerships and Community Outreach

  • Engage local industries, NGOs, and employers
  • Promote programmes through community leaders and media

7.6 Monitoring and Evaluation

  • Track enrollment, completion, and certification rates
  • Collect participant feedback and employment outcomes
  1. Expected Outputs
  • Developed and approved short-term TVET curricula
  • Trained instructors and facilitators
  • Functional training workshops and learning spaces
  • Certified cohorts of trainees
  • Established partnerships with local employers and stakeholders
  1. Expected Outcomes
  • Improved employability and income-generation opportunities
  • Increased participation of women and vulnerable groups in skills training
  • Strengthened university–community linkages
  • Enhanced relevance of university engagement to national recovery needs
  1. Long-Term Impact
  • Contribution to local economic recovery and stability
  • Reduction in youth unemployment and skills mismatch
  • Strengthened social cohesion and community resilience
  • Positioning NUS as a national leader in community-based TVET and applied learning

  1. Risk Management
Risk Mitigation Measures
Insecurity or access limitations Flexible delivery schedules, decentralised training sites
Limited funding Phased implementation, donor and partner engagement
Low female participation Gender-responsive outreach and scheduling
Skills mismatch with labour market Regular needs assessments and employer engagement
Trainer availability Training-of-trainers and part-time industry experts

 

 

  1. Indicative Budget (Summary)
Budget Item Estimated Cost (USD)
Needs assessment and programme design 15,000
Curriculum development and materials 20,000
Trainer fees and capacity building 30,000
Equipment and workshop upgrading 50,000
Programme delivery (per cohort) 35,000
Monitoring and evaluation 10,000
Administration and coordination 15,000
Total (Indicative) 175,000

Final budget to be refined based on scale, duration, and donor requirements.

 

  1. Sustainability
  • Cost-sharing models and modest trainee fees were feasible
  • Continuous partnership with local industries
  • Integration into the University’s long-term community engagement strategy
  • Scaling through donor support and government collaboration