Integrating Neglected Economic Sectors into TVET Programs for Enhanced Youth Employment in the Republic of Benin

This study examines the alignment between Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) programmes and the evolving economic landscape in the Republic of Benin. Although TVET is widely promoted as a pathway to youth employability, many programmes continue to focus on traditional trades while emerging sectors such as renewable energy, digital technologies, and advanced manufacturing remain insufficiently represented. The purpose of the study is to analyse how current TVET curricula and institutional practices correspond to labour market demands and the opportunities available in high-growth industries. A qualitative research design was employed, drawing on six in-depth interviews with recent TVET graduates. The analysis is informed by systems theory, the human capability approach, social capital theory, and work-based learning models, which together provide a multidimensional lens for understanding graduates’ experiences and the structural factors influencing employment outcomes. The findings indicate persistent gaps between training provision and market requirements, including curriculum obsolescence, saturation in certain vocational fields, limited access to financial resources, and weak linkages between training institutions and employers. These issues shape the transition to work and constrain graduates’ access to opportunities in expanding economic sectors. The study offers empirical insights that may inform future research and policy discussions on TVET and youth employability in Benin.