Training-Employment Mismatch in Cameroon: The Role of Emerging Web Professions

Introduction

The issue of professional integration for young graduates remains a significant challenge in Cameroon, particularly given the numerous diplomas awarded by various professional and university institutions. These establishments typically offer a wide range of training programs, which do not always ensure successful professional integration for learners, resulting in a training-employment mismatch. Recent statistics indicate that the unemployment rate increased by 6.1% in 2021 compared to 2020, with an underemployment rate nearing 65% (1). In light of these challenges, it is crucial to understand the needs of the job market in order to bridge the persistent gap between training and employment in Cameroon. However, the emergence of new tools associated with information and communication technologies offers a glimmer of hope. The World Economic Forum (2), in its 2020 Report on the Future of Jobs, emphasized that the Fourth Industrial Revolution would transform the global labor market, leading to the emergence of new professions by 2022 across seven professional segments. Recognizing the promising future of digital technology, the Cameroonian government encouraged young people in 2018 to seize digital opportunities, as they present numerous avenues for employment (3). The objective of this article is to explore the role of new web professions in narrowing the training-employment gap. This article is divided into two sections: the first discusses the challenges young graduates face in accessing employment, while the second examines the impact of web professions on employment in Cameroon.

Training Opportunities and Challenges in Accessing Employment in Cameroon

The labor market has two dimensions: access to decent, quality employment and the determination of wages. Failures associated with each of these dimensions contribute to unemployment and underemployment. Several factors account for these failures, including the quality of training provided. In fact, many training programs are not professional; in other words, most of the training offered does not directly teach the skills necessary for specific jobs.

In addition, the existing employment policies are limited and do not effectively promote integration into the labor market. In our context, these policies encounter significant challenges. Measures to combat unemployment should adopt both economic and social approaches. The Cameroonian government, in its strategies to address unemployment, has focused on three main pillars (NDS30): creating a conducive environment for the promotion and creation of decent jobs; improving the quality of training and the information system regarding access to employment, as these are crucial and effective components for decision-making support; and redefining the essential elements of an active employment policy.

Despite these measures, the persistent issue of access to employment remains a challenge. This underscores the necessity for training programs that provide opportunities in emerging web professions. In Cameroon, as in many Central African economies, job creation through digital technology is advancing slowly due to several structural constraints (4). These include limited access to electricity, a low rate of mobile phone subscriptions, and minimal computer usage. Additionally, there is a lack of training in digital professions, with certain web-related training programs, such as  in Cameroon. Nevertheless, digitalization now represents a significant job market opportunity.

Web Professions as a Solution to Employment Training Inadequacies in Cameroon

Firstly, web professions could significantly contribute to job creation in Cameroon and alleviate the issues of unemployment and underemployment faced by young people. With a predominantly youthful population—43.6% of the population is under 15 years old, according to the 2005 census (6) —the country struggles to integrate these young individuals into the job market. A report from Dell, published by the Institute for the Future, indicates that approximately 21 million jobs will be created by 2030 (7), with 73% of these in digital professions. This is particularly noteworthy as around 85% of the jobs in 2030 do not currently exist. In line with this trend, five profiles of digital professions have emerged since 2018 (8). These include renewable energy technicians, artificial intelligence engineers, video game videographers, caregivers in artificial intelligence, and web workers, many of whom work as freelancers and often hold multiple jobs. This evidence underscores the employment opportunities that digital technology presents.

Secondly, emerging web professions could enhance the structural transformation of the country, the sub-region, and the continent. This aligns with the second objective of the African Union’s Agenda 2063, which aims to maximize the number of educated citizens equipped with strong skills through digital technology. Indeed, new digital professions are expected to drive growth and promote full employment. According to the Digital Cameroon 2020 Strategic Plan, the number of direct jobs created through the intensive use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) increased from 1,000 in 2016 to 50,000 in 2020 (9). Consequently, numerous opportunities are available to young people. For instance, e-commerce not only enhances the visibility of  in Cameroon but also reduces transportation costs and time. Furthermore, these new professions are transforming organizational structures, production systems, consumption patterns, and various behaviors. As a result, these changes are likely to improve the functioning and development of economies.

Conclusion

This article aimed to analyze the role of emerging professions in bridging the training-employment gap. With the digital economy and job creation at the core of Agenda 2063 of the African Union, it is evident that the rise of new professions will not only increase job opportunities in Cameroon but also help to reduce the training-employment gap. This is particularly important in light of the growing demand from companies for digital technology in their internal organizational strategies.

Thus, the Cameroonian government, through the Ministries of Vocational Training and Posts and Telecommunications, should enhance the promotion and standardization of this profession primarily by improving the legal framework, reducing training costs, and upgrading the quality of the internet network.