Cairo, Egypt – How can we connect young talent with the green and digital skills Egypt’s agri-food sector actually needs?
At the 38th Sahara Expo Conference, CEEBA – Confederation of Egyptian European Business Associations moderated a session that brought this question to the heart of the agri-food sector through the NETWORK YOU project:
“Green & Digital Skills for Egypt’s Agri-Food Sector: Circular Mobility, Skills Development & Employment for the Private Sector”
The discussion brought together perspectives from the EU Delegation to Egypt – Ms. Cianna Isabel Flyger; CIHEAM Bari – Ms. Daniela Palermo; Dr. Mohsen El Beltagy from the Horticultural Export Improvement Association (HEIA); Mr. Islam Salem – Eden for Agriculture Development; and Mr. Antonio Spera from Confcooperativa Puglia, looking at how skills development, international experience and stronger private-sector engagement can translate into real employment opportunities for young Egyptians.
A Circular Skilled Mobility Model
At the centre of NETWORK YOU is a circular skilled mobility model: young Egyptian professionals receive preparatory training, gain hands-on experience with companies in Southern Italy, and return to Egypt with upgraded technical, green and digital skills relevant to local agri-food value chains.
The SAHARA discussion also put an important question to industry: What skills do Egyptian companies need today — and how can returning young professionals become part of the solution?
From green and digital skills gaps to recruitment, mentoring, skills recognition and stronger links between companies and young professionals, the conversation was firmly focused on turning training and mobility into concrete pathways to employment and cooperation.
Acknowledgements
A big thank you to all our speakers, panellists and participants for contributing to the discussion and helping bring the NETWORK YOU vision closer to the Egyptian private sector.
The next step is to turn these conversations into connections, opportunities and jobs for young professionals.