The World Bank Implementation Status & Results Report CONGO - Rep. Skills Development for Employability Project (P128628) CONGO - Rep. Skills Development for Employability Project (P128628) WESTERN AND CENTRAL AFRICA | Congo, Republic of | Education Global Practice | IBRD/IDA | Investment Project Financing | FY 2014 | Seq No: 17 | ARCHIVED on 20-Jun-2022 | ISR49879 | Implementing Agencies: Government of Republic of Congo, Ministry of Technical and Professional Education Key Dates Key Project Dates Bank Approval Date: 17-Sep-2013 Effectiveness Date: 30-Oct-2014 Planned Mid Term Review Date: 01-Feb-2017 Actual Mid-Term Review Date: 21-Feb-2017 Original Closing Date: 30-Sep-2018 Revised Closing Date: 30-Jun-2023 pdoTable Project Development Objectives Project Development Objective (from Project Appraisal Document) The objective of the Project is to improve job and entrepreneurship skills for vulnerable urban youth in order to improve their labor market insertion and earnings. Has the Project Development Objective been changed since Board Approval of the Project Objective? No Components Table Name Component 1: Skills training, job insertion and entrepreneurship support for vulnerable youth and micro- entrepreneurs:(Cost $23.90 M) Component 2: Strengthen the technical, planning, implementation, and monitoring and evaluation capacity of METPFQE:(Cost $6.10 M) Component 3: Contingent Emergency Response (CERC) Overall Ratings Name Previous Rating Current Rating Progress towards achievement of PDO Satisfactory Satisfactory Overall Implementation Progress (IP) Satisfactory Satisfactory Overall Risk Rating Moderate Moderate Implementation Status and Key Decisions Overview. The Skills Development for Employability Project (SDEP) aims at improving job and entrepreneurship skills for vulnerable urban youth in order to improve their labor market insertion and earnings. The Parent project, which was initially jointly financed through an International Development Association (IDA) credit and the Government of the Republic of Congo's counterpart funding, was approved by the World Bank Board of Executive Directors on September 17, 2013, signed on October 11, 2013 and became effective on October 31, 2014, with a closing date of September 30, 2018. Project implementation stalled starting in mid-2016 due to the lack of counterpart fund which accounted for about 69 percent of the total project cost. However, on a letter dated May 30, 2018, the Government requested, and the World Bank agreed, to restructure the project. The Project was restructured to remove the counterpart funding and scale back the Project's targets to reflect the new size of the Project (US$15 million instead of US$32 million) and the closing date of the project was extended to March 31, 2021 to enable the implementation 6/20/2022 Page 1 of 9 The World Bank Implementation Status & Results Report CONGO - Rep. Skills Development for Employability Project (P128628) of Project activities prior to project closing. The project has two components, and the progress by component is summarized below. On December 17, 2020 an additional financing (AF) in the amount of US$15 million equivalent was approved which will support achievement of the PDO. The AF became effective on June 11, 2021. The parent project and the AF will close on June 30, 2023. This is an interim ISR with an update on progress under the project to be provided following the next mission which will be carried out from June 13 to 20, 2022. Progress by Components and Sub-components: Component 1: Many of the activities planned under the AF are underway, with the launch of the training under Component 1 undertaken in Brazzaville and Pointe- Noire, respectively, on November 16 and 23, 2021. A total of 4,500 youth were selected to participate in the program as the third cohort of trainees under the project. Each trainee has been assigned to a specific area and training is ongoing. Sub-component 1.1: Skills Training, job insertion and entrepreneurship support for vulnerable youth. The youth training activities for the second cohort were well completed with good results following final assessments of youth skills (nearly 99 percent success rate). To date, in the Parent Project, a total of 1,841 youth has been trained (including 328 youth who participating in training as part of the first cohort). Of the 1,517 youth who completed their training as part of the second cohort in February 2020, 118 youth were employed by a firm at the end of the internship and 67 percent of youth said they were moving toward self-employment, compared to 22 percent for salaried employment. With the AF, the third cohort of youth was launched in November 2021 for the training of 1,659 selected youth in 26 training programs (including 8 in the farming and agri- food sectors, 12 in the industry and construction sectors and 6 in the services sector), for a total duration *(of training and internship) varying from 9 to 12 months depending on the trade. Sub-component 1.2: Skills training for micro-entrepreneurs. It was agreed in 2019 that this sub-component would be put on hold, in light of the sharp reduction in the available funding, so that activities that were already underway in Sub-component 1.1 and Component 2 would be fully financed. This sub-component is supporting under the AF, continuing training provided under the parent project while also expanding to technical training, support in business development and the development of business development plans as well as life skills training. A total of 497 youth (in the first cohort) benefited from skills training under this subcomponent. Under this sub-component, 1,000 youth have been selected to receive this training. Sub-component 1.3: Apprenticeship and functional literacy training for out-of-school adolescent youth. To date, a total of 3088 youth (955 in the first cohort) have been trained under this subcomponent under the Parent Project. Of the 2,367 young apprentices in the second cohort, 2,133 youth were able to complete their apprenticeships with a 97 percent satisfaction rate. Under the AF, 2,500 vulnerable youth have been selected and have been placed in apprenticeships with 500 Master Craftsmen. Sub-component 1.4: Competitive Fund. The Competitive Fund has been established under the project. This fund aims to directly support and finance entrepreneurial initiatives (business plans) presented by youth already trained under the parent project and youth who will be trained under the AF. The project is finalizing the process of recruiting technical assistance to support the Fund's activities. Component 2. Strengthen the technical, planning, implementation, and monitoring and evaluation capacity of the Ministry of Vocational Technical Education (METP) Progress on the remaining activities supported under the parent project are as follows: Certification process for short-term qualifying courses: The National Framework for Professional Certification was validated and is in the process of being operationalized. The impact evaluation survey of the second cohort. The end-line survey data has been collected and data are currently available. Risks Systematic Operations Risk-rating Tool Risk Category Rating at Approval Previous Rating Current Rating 6/20/2022 Page 2 of 9 The World Bank Implementation Status & Results Report CONGO - Rep. Skills Development for Employability Project (P128628) Political and Governance -- Substantial Substantial Macroeconomic -- Moderate Moderate Sector Strategies and Policies -- Moderate Moderate Technical Design of Project or Program -- Moderate Moderate Institutional Capacity for Implementation and -- Moderate Moderate Sustainability Fiduciary -- Substantial Substantial Environment and Social -- Low Low Stakeholders -- Low Low Other -- -- -- Overall -- Moderate Moderate Results PDO Indicators by Objectives / Outcomes Improve job and entrepreneurship skills for vulnerable urban youth IN01088403 ►Youth who complete the training supported by the project (%) (Percentage, Custom) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 54.60 54.60 54.60 80.00 Date 09-Mar-2020 10-Nov-2021 06-Jun-2022 30-Jun-2023 Target surpassed. Comments: IN01088431 Percentage female (Percentage, Custom Supplement) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 43.00 43.00 43.00 50.00 IN01088432 ►Training providers reaching performance benchmarks (%) (Percentage, Custom) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 69.00 69.00 69.00 70.00 Date 09-Mar-2020 10-Nov-2021 06-Jun-2022 30-Jun-2023 Target exceeded. The level of achievement for this indicator will be updated at the end of the training Comments: programs based on job search and self-employment. Improve urban youth labor market insertion and earnings 6/20/2022 Page 3 of 9 The World Bank Implementation Status & Results Report CONGO - Rep. Skills Development for Employability Project (P128628) IN01088404 ►Increase in trained youth who are employed or self-employed one year after completing training (%) (Percentage, Custom) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 0.00 0.00 0.00 7.50 Date 09-Mar-2020 10-Nov-2021 06-Jun-2022 30-Jun-2023 This indicator will be updated with data from the impact evaluation in the next ISR. Comments: IN01088405 ►Increase in average earnings of youth after completing training (%) (Percentage, Custom) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 0.00 0.00 0.00 5.00 Date 09-Mar-2020 10-Nov-2021 06-Jun-2022 30-Jun-2023 This indicator will be updated with data from the impact evaluation in the next ISR. Comments: Intermediate Results Indicators by Components Component 1: Skills training, job insertion and entrepreneurship support for vulnerable youth and micro-entrepreneurs IN01088436 ►Students benefiting from direct interventions to enhance learning (Number, Corporate) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 6,108.00 6,108.00 6,108.00 10,000.00 Date 24-Sep-2020 10-Nov-2021 06-Jun-2022 30-Jun-2023 IN01088438 Students benefiting from direct interventions to enhance learning - Female (Number, Corporate Supplement) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 42.90 42.90 42.90 50.00 IN01088439 ►Youth enrolled in school-based skills training supported by the project (Number, Custom) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 2,153.00 2,153.00 2,153.00 3,500.00 Date 24-Sep-2020 10-Nov-2021 06-Jun-2022 30-Jun-2023 The number of training providers has increased from 4 private providers in the first phase to 17 public and private providers for the second cohort. This has helped the significant increase in the number of Comments: beneficiaries. The difference between the previous value and the actual one is explained by the fact that during the mission, the project database had to be updated on the basis of the final data of the training 6/20/2022 Page 4 of 9 The World Bank Implementation Status & Results Report CONGO - Rep. Skills Development for Employability Project (P128628) centers and master craftsmen, in order to also take into account youth who dropped out during and at the end of the training (did not participate in the final assessment of skills). IN01088440 Percentage female (Percentage, Custom Supplement) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 34.00 34.00 34.00 50.00 IN01088441 ►Youth enrolled in entrepreneurship/job insertion support (subcomponent 1.1) (Number, Custom) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 2,122.00 2,122.00 2,122.00 3,000.00 Date 30-Jun-2020 10-Nov-2021 06-Jun-2022 30-Jun-2023 These are the same youth in sub-components 1.1 and 1.2 who should be inserted in the labor market whether by finding gainful employment, creating their own job/firm, or being in extending internship. This Comments: indicator will be updated in the next ISR. IN01088442 Percentage female (Percentage, Custom Supplement) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 34.00 34.00 34.00 50.00 IN01088443 ►Micro-entrepreneurs enrolled in pilot skills training program (Number, Custom) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 479.00 479.00 479.00 1,500.00 Date 09-Mar-2020 10-Nov-2021 06-Jun-2022 30-Jun-2023 IN01088444 Percentage female (Percentage, Custom Supplement) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 37.00 37.00 37.00 50.00 IN01088445 ►Adolescent youth enrolled in apprenticeships (Number, Custom) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 3,245.00 3,245.00 3,245.00 5,000.00 Date 09-Mar-2020 10-Nov-2021 06-Jun-2022 30-Jun-2023 Target exceeded. Comments: IN01088446 Percentage female (Percentage, Custom Supplement) 6/20/2022 Page 5 of 9 The World Bank Implementation Status & Results Report CONGO - Rep. Skills Development for Employability Project (P128628) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 52.00 52.00 52.00 55.00 IN01088447 ►Business plans financed by the Competitive Fund (cooperatives, individual projects) (Number, Custom) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 0.00 0.00 0.00 100.00 Date 24-Sep-2020 10-Nov-2021 06-Jun-2022 30-Jun-2023 IN01088448 Of which business plans developed by female beneficiaries (Number, Custom Breakdown) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 0.00 0.00 0.00 125.00 Date 24-Sep-2020 10-Nov-2021 06-Jun-2022 30-Jun-2023 IN01088449 ►Direct jobs created by the Competitive Fund (Number, Custom) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 0.00 0.00 0.00 250.00 Date 24-Sep-2020 10-Nov-2021 06-Jun-2022 30-Jun-2023 IN01088450 Female beneficiaries (Number, Custom Breakdown) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 Date 24-Sep-2020 10-Nov-2021 06-Jun-2022 30-Jun-2023 IN01088451 ►Beneficiaries who feel that the training programs meet their needs (Percentage, Custom) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 0.00 0.00 0.00 60.00 Date 24-Sep-2020 10-Nov-2021 06-Jun-2022 30-Jun-2023 IN01088452 ►Girls and boys who receive training on the protection from SEA/SH as part of the life skills courses (Percentage, Custom) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 0.00 0.00 0.00 60.00 Date 24-Sep-2020 10-Nov-2021 06-Jun-2022 30-Jun-2023 IN01088453 6/20/2022 Page 6 of 9 The World Bank Implementation Status & Results Report CONGO - Rep. Skills Development for Employability Project (P128628) ►Reported grievances addressed within stipulated time frame (Percentage, Custom) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 0.00 0.00 0.00 60.00 Date 24-Sep-2020 10-Nov-2021 06-Jun-2022 30-Jun-2023 Component 2: Strengthen the technical, planning, implementation, and monitoring and evaluation capacity of METPFQE IN01088433 ►Beneficiary surveys of impact evaluation completed (baseline, mid-line, end-line) (Yes/No, Custom) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value No Yes Yes Yes Date 17-Sep-2013 10-Nov-2021 06-Jun-2022 30-Jun-2023 To date, only the baseline of the impact evaluation survey was completed as well as the midline survey. Comments: The endline survey will be carried out with preliminary results expected in end January 2022. IN01088434 ►Data base of TVET provision established (baseline) (Yes/No, Custom) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value No Yes Yes Yes Date 17-Sep-2013 10-Nov-2021 06-Jun-2022 21-Dec-2018 IN01088435 ►Global Value Chain Study completed (Yes/No, Custom) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value No Yes Yes Yes Date 17-Sep-2013 10-Nov-2021 06-Jun-2022 30-Jun-2023 Target achieved. Comments: IN01088437 ►Skills development strategy document prepared (Yes/No, Custom) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value No Yes Yes Yes Date 17-Sep-2013 10-Nov-2021 06-Jun-2022 30-Jun-2023 The skills development strategy will be prepared as the revised education sector strategy is currently being developed. This will allow the strategy to take into account the findings from the study on métiers Comments: porteurs (promising trades). 6/20/2022 Page 7 of 9 The World Bank Implementation Status & Results Report CONGO - Rep. Skills Development for Employability Project (P128628) Performance-Based Conditions Data on Financial Performance Disbursements (by loan) Project Loan/Credit/TF Status Currency Original Revised Cancelled Disbursed Undisbursed % Disbursed P128628 IDA-53020 Effective USD 10.00 10.00 0.00 9.17 0.18 98% P128628 IDA-68150 Effective USD 15.00 15.00 0.00 4.29 9.71 31% Key Dates (by loan) Project Loan/Credit/TF Status Approval Date Signing Date Effectiveness Date Orig. Closing Date Rev. Closing Date P128628 IDA-53020 Effective 17-Sep-2013 11-Oct-2013 30-Oct-2014 30-Sep-2018 30-Jun-2023 P128628 IDA-68150 Effective 17-Dec-2020 23-Dec-2020 11-Jun-2021 30-Jun-2023 30-Jun-2023 Cumulative Disbursements 6/20/2022 Page 8 of 9 The World Bank Implementation Status & Results Report CONGO - Rep. Skills Development for Employability Project (P128628) Restructuring History Level 2 Approved on 28-Jun-2018 ,Level 2 Approved on 13-Feb-2020 ,Level 2 Approved on 05-Jun-2020 Related Project(s) P171854-Congo Rep. Additional Financing for Skills Development for Employability Project 6/20/2022 Page 9 of 9