Apprenticeship and vocational training in Burkina Faso

The Ministry of Secondary Education, Vocational and Technical Training (Ministère de l’Enseignement secondaire, de la Formation professionnelle et technique (MESFPT)) leads the EFTP. The Directorate General responsible for technical and vocational education and training (DGEFTP) is responsible for technical and vocational education and training provision, the directorate supporting access and scholarships (DGAS) supports access and scholarships, among other things, and the directorate responsible for examinations, certification and competitions (DGECC) organizes examinations, certification and competitions. Regional and provincial offices implement requirements locally. Public and private institutions, national vocational training schools (ENFP) and ANPE centers, as well as non-formal basic education centers (CEBNF), offer different pathways depending on the location. Private providers need the required authorization or accreditation; the status and scope of a certificate should be checked before enrollment. Formal technical education can begin after basic education and lead to a CAP after four years. In vocational secondary education, a BEP after two years or a technical or vocational BAC after three years is possible. Non-formal provision is aimed, among others, at young people who have never attended school or no longer attend school, as well as adults. The occupational cycle (cycle des métiers) leads through two to three levels to the professional qualification certificate (Certificat de qualification professionnelle (CQP)); transitions between basic and vocational courses may be governed by the applicable rules. The BQP, BPT and BPTS certify further vocational qualifications. Entry, duration and requirements depend on the occupation, curriculum, provider and specific call for applications. In a contractual apprenticeship (apprentissage), there is a legally regulated apprenticeship contract as well as non-formal or informal learning in workshops and companies. A contract is possible for persons aged 16 or older and lasts no more than three years, depending on occupational practice, collective agreement or regulation. It is prepared in four copies and reviewed by the labor inspectorate (Inspection du travail); it is then registered with the ANPE and an apprentice card is issued. The contract requires, among other things, a medical certificate and proof of birth; the trainer must also provide a criminal-record extract. For minors, a parent or guardian also signs. The first two months are a probationary period. Illness or an absence of more than 15 days may trigger an arrangement to make up the missed period. The trainer teaches the occupation progressively, observes youth labor protection and releases the apprentice to attend organized vocational courses. The apprentice follows instructions and performs the agreed work. In the same occupation, a trainer may assign no more than one apprentice for every two employees. Remuneration depends on the contribution, contract category and applicable minimum wage and may not be below the current minimum interprofessional guaranteed wage (SMIG). A post-contract service obligation may last no more than two years and requires a contractual justification. Dual training combines work in a company with courses at a vocational institution. The national model is oriented toward competency standards, modular courses and the needs of companies and other economic actors, but a uniform nationwide rotation schedule and an identical provider base everywhere are not currently established. Informal learning in a workshop can be practically significant, but without formal recognition or certification it does not reliably lead to a usable qualification. The fund supporting vocational training and apprenticeship (FAFPA) finances, through the PIF financing mechanism (mécanisme PIF), qualifying vocational training for people with or without formal schooling and particularly vulnerable groups, as well as provision by institutions. Funding does not automatically cover every course fee and does not create a general individual entitlement. Scholarships are awarded through the SIGOBS scholarship system (SIGOBS) according to the criteria of the relevant call for applications. Programmes such as the infrastructure, mobile-unit, curriculum, digital-learning and entrepreneurship-support programme (PMACR-BF) additionally finance infrastructure, mobile units, new curricula, digital learning and support for starting a business; such investments are not a general fee schedule. Certification is handled by the competent bodies of the MESFPT and the DGECC. For 2026, examinations are scheduled for the CQP from 30 June to 7 July, the BQP from 21 to 28 July, the BPT from 1 to 8 September and the BPTS from 15 to 22 September. The final examination for an apprenticeship is organized by a commission including the ANPE, the Inspection du travail, employers, workers and, where appropriate, qualified professionals. The trainer may issue a certificate confirming completion of the contract. The occupational usefulness and recognition of a qualification nevertheless depend on the title, curriculum, employer and applicable rules; there is no automatic equivalence to a school qualification. A first vocational qualification can also be obtained later in life through a non-formal vocational course, a FAFPA-funded measure or practical learning in a company or workshop. The policy framework also provides for recognition of occupational experience, but a publicly confirmed, nationwide application procedure for validation of prior learning (VAE) is not currently established. Qualified graduates may apply for an initial work-life placement (stage d’initiation à la vie professionnelle), with nationality or lawful residence and the specific call for applications being decisive. Such a measure does not provide an automatic job.