The province of Setif is witnessing a massive influx of young applicants for the “Sanaa” vocational training scheme, recently introduced by the Ministry of Vocational Education and Training. According to regional sector directors, upward of 5,200 registrations have been documented since the digital portal went live on May 31, underscoring a growing appetite among youth for short-term, hands-on instructional courses.
Aimed at individuals between the ages of 15 and 27, this initiative is engineered to equip participants with immediately marketable trade skills through intensive, practice-driven sessions overseen by industry specialists.
Ahmed Belkamri, the provincial director of vocational training, emphasized that this surge reflects a shifting mindset among young people, who increasingly view technical training as a powerful springboard for career integration and entrepreneurial ventures.
He noted that the initiative “introduces trainees to core trade fundamentals via compressed, hands-on curricula mentored by experienced tradespeople,” thereby facilitating a rapid transition into real-world work environments.
To ensure the seamless delivery of this educational framework, regional departments have deployed substantial technical, physical, and instructional resources. The courses are scheduled to run across two distinct blocks: the initial phase from June 15 to July 6, followed by a second term from July 7 to July 31.
The distribution of participants across various training centers was finalized based on chosen areas of specialization and geographic convenience, minimizing commute times and optimizing classroom environments.
The “Sanaa” curriculum focuses heavily on six technical trades that are highly sought after in today’s labor market: commercial painting, residential electricity, plasterwork, plumbing, welding, and refrigeration mechanics.
Beyond technical instruction, the scheme seeks to elevate the public profile of manual labor and boost youth employment metrics at a time when qualified personnel are in high demand across the fundamental construction and craftsmanship sectors.
For educational authorities, this robust enrollment rate is a positive sign of youth engagement with short-term vocational structures, which are widely seen as a practical fast track into the workforce.
With more than 5,200 candidates joining within the opening weeks, the “Sanaa” program has already established itself as a foundational pillar of local workforce development policy, potentially offering a blueprint for other provinces nationwide.