Cairo

Source: Al-Wafd newspaper

Dr. Ali Mohamed Al-Khouri

In recent decades, the world has witnessed tremendous transformations driven by technological progress and innovation, and this has led to an increase in demand for skilled talent in the technical and craft fields. These competencies have become the backbone of economic and social development, as the success of the modern economy depends heavily on the availability of skilled labor. In this context, investment in technical education is an imperative necessity to achieve sustainable development and achieve economic goals.
In Egypt, technical and artistic education has witnessed remarkable development in recent years. The country has adopted a comprehensive strategy to enhance technical education in line with the latest international systems and programmes. This strategy aims to increase the percentage of outstanding students enrolled in technical education in the preparatory stage to 20% by 2030, as well as raising the percentage of technical education graduates who work in their field of specialization to 80%.
Statistics indicate a noticeable increase in the number of technical education schools in Egypt, reaching 3,114 schools in the 2022-2023 academic year, compared to 1,995 schools in 2013-2014. Many modern technological universities have also been established in Egypt, equipped with the latest technologies and laboratories, which focus on providing specialized educational programs in the fields of engineering, technology, and applied sciences. This expansion of educational infrastructure is a strategic step to meet the needs of the local and international market, as statistics indicate that 85% of future jobs will require technical skills.
What global trends confirm is that technical education may play a vital role in supporting the national economy. For example, European countries rely heavily on the technical and vocational education system to build a strong industrial base and support innovation. According to a study conducted by the International Labor Organization, technical education can reduce unemployment rates among youth by up to 30%, and contribute to raising the standard of living and improving the quality of life. In addition, the World Bank notes that technical education can contribute to promoting entrepreneurship. Students acquire skills that enable them to establish their own projects, and contribute to the development of the national economy and the creation of new job opportunities.
Investing in technical education is not only a solution to the unemployment problem, it is also a major driver of innovation and productivity. A report issued by the World Economic Forum shows that countries that invest in technical education achieve 20% higher economic growth rates compared to countries that neglect this sector. These statistics confirm that technical education is not just an educational sector, but rather a basis for achieving economic stability and sustainable development.
To achieve the desired goals of this investment, decision-makers in Egypt must develop school curricula to keep pace with rapid developments in the technical and craft fields, especially those related to artificial intelligence, robotics, and the Internet of Things. An educational environment must be provided that encourages creativity and innovation, while enhancing communication and critical thinking skills among students. In addition, technical education must be linked to the labor market through continuous training and qualification programs. To achieve real and sustainable change in the structure of the Egyptian economy, there must be close cooperation between the government and the private sector to support investment in technical education.
In general, technical education is an essential tributary to economic and social development. Investing in it is no longer just an option, but has become an urgent necessity to achieve economic prosperity and sustainable development in Egypt. Commitment to a clear vision and a solid strategy are the keys that will enable Egypt to lead the development engine in the region and achieve a bright future for its people.