Egypt
The ETF cooperates with and complements the work of the European Commission and the European External Action Service in its support to Egypt.The EU has invested 115 million EUR in two major TVET programmes in recent years in support of educational reform to which the ETF has been strongly involved through engagement with national stakeholders.
The ETF supports policy dialogue with input to bilateral subcommittee meetings, monitoring of European Neighbourhood Policy action plans and annual country updates. The ETF reports on wider human capital developments within the Torino Process, the fifth round of which was launched in Egypt in April 2019. The Torino Process analysis contributes to the programming cycle of the European Union and other donors.
The ETF advises the Delegation of the European Union to Egypt and the Egyptian Technical and Vocational Training (TVET) Programme Implementation Unit (PIU). Focus will be given to sustainability of the TVET programme, the exit strategy and contribution to TVET reforms including quality assurance and a teacher training academy, as well as the technical education reform strategy.
Egypt is a member of the ETF Quality Assurance Forum.
Read our 2024 update on Key policy developments in education, training and employment (ETF, 2024). For a quick overview, see below:
2024 developments at a glance
🏛️ Economic and policy reform: the National Structural Reform Programme (NSRP), launched in 2021, builds on past economic policies, prioritising manufacturing, agriculture, and ICT while enhancing technical vocational education and training (TVET) to meet labour market demands. The programme aligns with Egypt Vision 2030, which aims to drive inclusive growth, social justice, and a knowledge-based economy through education, workforce development, and economic diversification;
📈 Demographic shifts: with Egypt’s population surpassing 114 million in 2023, its labour force is expanding rapidly. To curb unemployment, job creation must increase by 2.7% annually, requiring GDP growth above 6% per year – currently at 4% (IMF Egypt Office, February 2023);
🎓 Educational attainment: with 50-60% of new labour market entrants completing secondary or post-secondary education and about a third holding a university degree or higher, Egypt faces the critical challenge of ensuring that economic growth translates into quality employment opportunities for more highly educated individuals;
🏫 Technical vocational education and training (TVET): launched in 2018, the Technical Education 2.0 (T.E. 2.0) strategy continues modernising TVET through curricula updates, teacher training, and industry partnerships. By 2024, Applied Technology Schools (ATS) expanded to 84 (up from 70 in 2023), with a target of 100 by 2030. The number of Technological Universities increased to 16. Despite progress, TVET governance remains fragmented, with multiple ministries involved. An ETF, EU Delegation, and OECD assessment in 2024 informed a revised strategy, and the government tasked the Institute of National Planning with developing an action plan and realigning priorities under Egypt Vision 2030;
✅TVET governance: a 2023 Prime Ministerial Decree proposed a Supreme Council for Education and Training to improve and coordinate TVET planning and delivery, in line with Egypt Vision 2030;
🛠️ Work-based learning (WBL): WBL within the ATS system expanded in 2024, with increased employer participation to better align classroom instruction with hands-on experience and labour market needs. 76 ATSs, including 10 international ATSs, were operational, though quality assurance remained a concern. To enhance employer engagement, Sector Skills Councils were introduced, formalising their role in training and apprenticeships. Participation in the dual training system and school-in-factory models grew significantly, with over 70,000 apprentices enrolled;
💼 Labour market challenges: the Labour Law revision remains stalled due to employer and union resistance, delaying improvements in worker protections, maternity leave, and child labour bans. Labour force participation remains low at 43%, with only 15% of women, compared to 69% of men. While unemployment fell from 9.6% in 2020 to 7.2% in 2023, women and young graduates still face significant job market barriers. To address this, the Egyptian Occupational Outlook Portal, launched in 2023, helps align training with workforce needs, supporting job seekers, career counsellors, and educators. The government is also implementing active labour market policies to address high unemployment, including skills training, job placements, and entrepreneurship programmes;
👦 👧 Youth in focus: The NEET rate (15-24-year-olds not in education, employment, or training) declined from 29% in 2021 to 27% in 2022. However, women remain disproportionately affected, with 40% classified as NEETs compared to 16% of men, underscoring the additional barriers young women face in accessing education and jobs. Meanwhile, youth unemployment rose to 11.5%, reflecting persistent skills mismatches and employment challenges;
💻 Digital skills development: the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology launched the Digital Egypt initiative in 2023 to enhance digital literacy, offering training from basic IT skills to specialised master’s degrees. The Digital Egypt Builders Initiative has expanded structured digital training, while Education 1.1 (since 2018) integrates technology into school curricula, including AI-based assessments;
🌿 Green skills development: the Ministry of Education and Technical Education is modernising TVET with competency-based curricula and new specialisations in renewable energy and the green economy. Seventeen schools now offer programmes in renewable energy, power electronics, and biotechnology. Under the T.E. 2.0 strategy, three Centres of Competence have been established for renewable energy and energy efficiency, and over 900 schools now run School-to-Work units, providing career guidance and insights into green job opportunities.