The World Bank Implementation Status & Results Report CONGO - Rep. Skills Development for Employability Project (P128628) CONGO - Rep. Skills Development for Employability Project (P128628) AFRICA | Congo, Republic of | Education Global Practice | IBRD/IDA | Investment Project Financing | FY 2014 | Seq No: 12 | ARCHIVED on 30-Dec-2019 | ISR37877 | Implementing Agencies: Ministry of Technical and Professional Education, Government of Republic of Congo 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-2020 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 $11.80 M) Component 2: Strengthen the technical, planning, implementation, and monitoring and evaluation capacity of METPFQE:(Cost $3.20 M) Overall Ratings Name Previous Rating Current Rating Progress towards achievement of PDO Moderately Satisfactory Moderately Satisfactory Overall Implementation Progress (IP) Moderately Satisfactory Moderately Satisfactory Overall Risk Rating Substantial Substantial 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 project, which was initially jointly financed through the World Bank's 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 Government's inability to provide the counterpart funding (CF) 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 the Project's targets down to 12/30/2019 Page 1 of 7 The World Bank Implementation Status & Results Report CONGO - Rep. Skills Development for Employability Project (P128628) reflect the new size of the Project (US$15 million instead of US$32 million). The restructuring was successfully done, and the closing date extended to June 30, 2020 to enable to pursue the implementation of Project's activities. The project has two components, and progress by components and sub-components are described below. Progress by Components and Sub-components: Component 1: This component has three sub-components: (i) skills training, job insertion and entrepreneurship support for 2,800 vulnerable youth; (ii) skills training for 1,000 micro-entrepreneurs in Brazzaville and Pointe Noire; and (iii) apprenticeship and functional literacy training for 2,700 out-of-of-school adolescent youth. Sub-component 1.1: Skills Training, job insertion and entrepreneurship support for 2,800 vulnerable youth. A first cohort of only 328 youth (46 % of them female) have completed the qualifying training program and related internship. Regarding the second cohort, 18 training providers (10 public and 8 private) have been hired compared to only 4 private training providers for the first cohort. New trades were added such as braiding, agriculture, food processing, breeding, plumbing, masonry, cooling and air-conditioning, crane operators, piping, and topography. Data on the replacement of absent youth were stabilized at the end of May 2019. A total of 1,846 youth (of which 35% of female) were placed in qualifying training centers (1,094 in the 6-month training programs and 752 in the 9-month training programs). Out of the 1,094 youth in training in the 6-month training programs, 931 were able to complete the training and placed in a 3-month internship with private firms. At the end of their internship (beginning of November 2019), they were evaluated on the entire internship program. Out of the 854 youth who were assessed, only 6 did not have the required skills due to repeated absence during the training. Currently, 612 youth out of the 752 enrolled in the 9-month training programs have been able to complete the training and 499 have been placed in internships for a period of 3 months (until mid-February 2020). This brings the total number of beneficiaries of this sub-component to 2,174, or 77.5% of the final target. Sub-component 1.2: Skills training for 1,000 micro-entrepreneurs. During the first phase of the training, 479 youth were trained in business skills (roughly half of the target). Although this sub-component was not impacted by the project restructuring, it has been put on holdstopped because of the sharp reduction in available funding. During the October 2019 mission, the discussions between the PIU and the World Bank team concluded that this sub-component would be put on hold in light of the current envelope available, and to enable the financing of activities that are already underway in sub-component 1.1 and component 2. Sub-component 1.2. would be reintroduced in the design of the AF, given the government's demand and priority on youth self-employment and entrepreneurship. Sub-component 1.3: Apprenticeship and functional literacy training for 2,700 out-of-school adolescent youth. In the first phase, 692 youth (of which 62% female), completed the apprenticeship program. For the second cohort, a total of 2,367 youth (of which 48% of female), are being trained by 560 master craftsmen in 23 trades. The number of beneficiaries for this sub-component has more than tripled compared to the first phase: 954 youth out of the enrolled 2,’367 (of which 59% of female) completed their apprenticeships in the 6- and 9-month trades in August and November 2019. An assessment of the skills acquired by these apprentices was carried-out by a joint team of evaluators at the end of the program. Overall, the results were very satisfactory as only 51 apprentices - out of a total of 954 - had not acquired the required level of skills. These youth received an additional month of remedial course which helped them improve their skills. To date, 1,’259 young people are still in training in the 12- month streams and are expected to complete the program by mid-February 2020. Overall, the number of trainees has reached 3,059 (or 113.3% of the revised target). Component 2. Strengthen the technical, planning, implementation, and monitoring and evaluation capacity of Ministère de l'Enseignement Technique et Professionnel, de la Formation Qualifiante et de l'Emploi (METPFQE). The work of the Verification Agency will be handed over to the 44 PSTPs who will visit every master craftsman weekly, and collect data using tablets. In addition, independent professionals will also be hired to assess the skill acquisition of the trainees at mid-term of their training period, as well as at the end of their training. Finally, the monitoring and evaluation tools have been reinforced. All these actions will only cost a fraction of the initial contract of the Verification Agency, a much higher value-for-money is expected. As a result, the capacity of the PIU, as well as those of the providers and PSTPs, have been strengthened in monitoring and evaluation of youth within the two sub-components. Use of MTN Mobile Money (MoMo): As reported in the previous ISR of June 2019, the electronic payment system via mobile phones showed its results. Using tablets, training providers, PSTPs and the PIU team monitor the presence and progression of youth's learning within the two sub- components. The data on the presence of youth in training and learning is collected on a daily basis, thus enabling the payment of transport and food costs for the beneficiaries on the basis of attendance. This has contributed to the close and effective monitoring of the training and helped reduce absenteeism. Risks Systematic Operations Risk-rating Tool Risk Category Rating at Approval Previous Rating Current Rating Political and Governance -- High High Macroeconomic -- High High 12/30/2019 Page 2 of 7 The World Bank Implementation Status & Results Report CONGO - Rep. Skills Development for Employability Project (P128628) Sector Strategies and Policies -- Substantial Substantial Technical Design of Project or Program -- Moderate Moderate Institutional Capacity for Implementation and Sustainability -- Substantial Substantial Fiduciary -- Substantial Substantial Environment and Social -- Low Low Stakeholders -- Low Low Other -- -- -- Overall -- Substantial Substantial Results PDO Indicators by Objectives / Outcomes Improve job and entrepreneurship skills for vulnerable urban youth IN00723500 ►Youth who complete the training supported by the project (%) (Percentage, Custom) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 0.00 25.10 25.10 70.00 Date 17-Sep-2013 31-May-2019 07-Oct-2019 30-Jun-2020 The second cohort has not yet reached this stage so the percentage will be reduced and revised at next Comments: ISR when the formal end of training programs has been reached IN00723558 Percentage female (Percentage, Custom Supplement) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 0.00 30.00 30.00 50.00 IN00723559 ►Training providers reaching performance benchmarks (%) (Percentage, Custom) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 0.00 69.00 69.00 60.00 Date 17-Sep-2013 31-May-2019 07-Oct-2019 30-Jun-2020 Target exceeded. The level of achievement for this indicator will be updated at the end of the training Comments: programs. Improve urban youth labor market insertion and earnings IN00723556 ►Increase in trained youth who are employed or self-employed one year after completing training (%) (Percentage, Custom) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target 12/30/2019 Page 3 of 7 The World Bank Implementation Status & Results Report CONGO - Rep. Skills Development for Employability Project (P128628) Value 0.00 0.00 0.00 7.50 Date 17-Sep-2013 31-May-2019 07-Oct-2019 30-Jun-2020 No change yet until the second cohort finishes the training programs. This indicator may be partially informed in March 2020 once the youth internship program ends, and after the survey on impact Comments: evaluation is completed (at the end of April 2020). IN00723557 ►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 17-Sep-2013 31-May-2019 07-Oct-2019 30-Jun-2020 No change. This indicator will be informed once the survey on impact evaluation is completed (at the end Comments: of April 2020). Intermediate Results Indicators by Components Component 1: Skills training, job insertion and entrepreneurship support for vulnerable youth and micro-entrepreneurs IN00723560 ►Direct project beneficiaries (Number, Custom) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 0.00 5,550.00 5,721.00 6,500.00 Date 17-Sep-2013 31-May-2019 07-Oct-2019 30-Jun-2020 The second cohort has started its training programs with public and private training providers as well as Comments: with master craftsmen. The entrepreneurship sub-component was cancelled. IN00723563 Female beneficiaries (Percentage, Custom Supplement) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 0.00 42.90 42.90 50.00 IN00723564 ►Youth enrolled in school-based skills training supported by the project (Phase 1) (Number, Custom) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 0.00 2,085.00 2,174.00 2,800.00 Date 17-Sep-2013 31-May-2019 07-Oct-2019 30-Jun-2020 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. IN00723567 Percentage female (Percentage, Custom Supplement) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target 12/30/2019 Page 4 of 7 The World Bank Implementation Status & Results Report CONGO - Rep. Skills Development for Employability Project (P128628) Value 0.00 29.90 29.90 50.00 IN00723568 ►Youth enrolled in entrepreneurship/job insertion support (Phase 2&3, out of the 2,800 in sub-component 1.1) (Number, Custom) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 0.00 328.00 328.00 1,800.00 Date 17-Sep-2013 31-May-2019 07-Oct-2019 30-Jun-2020 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. The Comments: second cohort has not reached this stage yet so numbers are unchanged from last ISR. The completion of the internship for youth will give us information on this indicator by March 2020. IN00723569 Percentage female (Percentage, Custom Supplement) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 0.00 15.00 15.00 50.00 IN00723570 ►Micro-entrepreneurs enrolled in pilot skills training program (Number, Custom) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 0.00 479.00 479.00 1,000.00 Date 17-Sep-2013 31-May-2019 07-Oct-2019 30-Jun-2020 This sub-component has not started for the second cohort and might be cancelled because of lack of Comments: funds in the project. IN00723571 Percentage female (Percentage, Custom Supplement) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 0.00 37.00 37.00 50.00 IN00723572 ►Adolescent youth enrolled in apprenticeships (Number, Custom) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 0.00 2,986.00 3,059.00 2,700.00 Date 17-Sep-2013 31-May-2019 07-Oct-2019 30-Jun-2020 Target exceeded. The number of master craftsmen has been substantially increased for the second Comments: cohort allowing to accommodate a larger number of vulnerable youth both in Pointe Noire and Brazzaville. IN00723573 Percentage female (Percentage, Custom Supplement) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 0.00 51.80 51.80 50.00 Component 2: Strengthen the technical, planning, implementation, and monitoring and evaluation capacity of METPFQE IN00723561 12/30/2019 Page 5 of 7 The World Bank Implementation Status & Results Report CONGO - Rep. Skills Development for Employability Project (P128628) ►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 14-Dec-2018 07-Oct-2019 28-Jun-2019 IN00723562 ►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 31-May-2019 07-Oct-2019 21-Dec-2018 Target achieved.The statistical yearbook for the Ministry has been recently validated using the census of Comments: training providers and schools. All the institutions have been geo-mapped. IN00723565 ►Global Value Chain Study completed (Yes/No, Custom) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value No Yes Yes Yes Date 17-Sep-2013 14-Dec-2018 07-Oct-2019 21-Dec-2018 Target achieved. Comments: IN00723566 ►Skills development strategy document prepared (Yes/No, Custom) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value No No No Yes Date 17-Sep-2013 31-May-2019 07-Oct-2019 27-Sep-2019 The Skills development strategy will be prepared as the revised education sector strategy is currently being developed . With the availability of new data, it is expected that the skills development strategy will Comments: be available around April/May 2020. 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 7.89 1.44 85% Key Dates (by loan) 12/30/2019 Page 6 of 7 The World Bank Implementation Status & Results Report CONGO - Rep. Skills Development for Employability Project (P128628) 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-2020 Cumulative Disbursements Restructuring History Level 2 Approved on 28-Jun-2018 Related Project(s) P171854-Congo Rep. Additional Financing for Skills Development for Employability Project 12/30/2019 Page 7 of 7