2024-10-28 10:36:00
In an increasingly uncertain economic context, the leather and footwear sector in Tunisia faces major challenges, notably the lack of candidates for the training offered in this field. Akrem Belhaj, director general of the National Leather and Shoe Federation (Fncc), explains to us the reasons for this situation, the initiatives put in place to attract young people to these professions and the measures necessary to protect and revive this emblematic industry .
The leather and footwear sector is going through a difficult period. You mentioned that, despite the absence of unemployment in this sector, the training centers are empty. How do you explain this paradox?
This is indeed a worrying paradox. Although there is no unemployment in our sector, young people seem to avoid training which could open the doors to these professions for them. Several factors explain this situation. First, the perception that young people have of our sector does not correspond to market realities. There is a lack of communication on job opportunities and the promotion of professions linked to leather and shoes. Another factor is that the political instability that followed the revolution disrupted dialogue between sector players and the authorities, which had a negative impact on our awareness-raising efforts. To deal with this situation, we have already started to take concrete measures. We organize training caravans in the regions to go directly to young people who, for various reasons, cannot access traditional centers. We also highlight the success stories of young people who have managed to build a career in our sector. However, we still need to work on communication and awareness. Young people need to see concrete examples of success to be motivated to register.
You talk about communication and valorization of professions. How does this translate concretely into your dealings with the ministry and businesses?
We have initiated a dialogue with the ministry to work on promoting the diplomas obtained in our training centers. We want these qualifications to be recognized by companies and for young people to be motivated to acquire market-relevant skills.
This also involves partnerships with companies to offer internships and work-study training, which is essential to combine theory and practice. At the same time, we want companies to commit to recruiting these trained young people, which would create a virtuous circle.
You mentioned the impact of e-commerce on the sector. What are your thoughts on this, and how is the leather sector adapting to these new realities?
E-commerce has undeniably transformed the business landscape, and our industry is no exception. Online selling offers opportunities, but it also poses challenges. Indeed, many foreign products, often of inferior quality, are flooding the online market, and this creates unfair competition for our producers.
We must ensure that our artisans and businesses adapt to this new reality by offering quality products that can compete on online platforms. This includes developing appropriate marketing strategies and improving the presence of our products on online sales sites.
With the increase of foreign products on the market, how do you plan to protect the Tunisian leather and footwear industry?
Protecting our industry is essential. We need strict laws to control imported products and ensure that only products that meet our quality standards can be marketed. We have already proposed reforms to the ministry to strengthen technical control of products on the market.
In addition, we must raise awareness among Tunisian consumers of the importance of buying local. The promotion of Tunisian products must become a priority, because this will support not only our economy, but also our artisans and our know-how.
You mention the need for a favorable environment for businesses. What other support do you expect from the State to revive the sector?
The State must commit to creating a regulatory framework that promotes investment and innovation in the sector. This includes better access to financing for businesses, particularly those wishing to modernize their equipment or diversify their products. Furthermore, it is crucial to encourage research and development to enable us to remain competitive in the face of international competition. Closer cooperation between the private sector and training institutions is also necessary to ensure that the training offered corresponds to the real needs of companies.
In conclusion, what are your priorities for the sector?
We have three priorities. First, we must strengthen law enforcement to protect Tunisian industry, particularly with regard to imported products. Second, it is imperative to restore funding for training institutions in order to improve the quality of the training offered. Finally, and perhaps most importantly, we must work on raising awareness among young people and promoting the leather and shoe trades to encourage them to train. If we succeed on these three fronts, I am convinced that our sector will be able to regain positive and lasting momentum.
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**Interview with Akrem Belhaj, Director General of the National Leather and Shoe Federation (Fncc)**
**Editor:** Thank you for joining us today, Mr. Belhaj. The leather and footwear sector in Tunisia is indeed facing some compelling challenges, particularly the paradox of available jobs but a lack of candidates. Could you elaborate on the reasons behind this issue?
**Akrem Belhaj:** Thank you for having me. You’re absolutely right; it’s a paradox that we need to address urgently. Although our sector offers numerous job opportunities, young people often view it unfavorably. This stems primarily from a lack of communication about the careers available and their potential. Additionally, political instability since the revolution has hindered our engagement efforts with both youth and the authorities. We’re actively working to fix this through initiatives like training caravans that reach out directly to youths who cannot access traditional centers.
**Editor:** It sounds like gaining the interest of young people is crucial. What specific strategies are you implementing to enhance communication and awareness?
**Akrem Belhaj:** One of our main strategies is building a dialogue with the Ministry of Labor to promote and recognize the diplomas issued by our training centers. We want businesses to see the value in hiring graduates from our programs, creating a cycle of success where trained individuals gain employment in their field. We’re also establishing partnerships with companies to offer internships, helping bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical experience.
**Editor:** E-commerce is reshaping many industries, including leather and footwear. What is your perspective on its impact, and how is your sector adapting?
**Akrem Belhaj:** E-commerce presents both opportunities and challenges. While it opens new markets for our products, it also allows a flood of often inferior foreign goods, leading to unfair competition. To tackle this, we are encouraging local artisans to adapt their products for online sales by enhancing marketing strategies and improving their online presence. It’s critical for us to offer high-quality products that can compete in this digital space.
**Editor:** Given the influx of foreign products, what steps are you advocating to protect the Tunisian leather and footwear industry?
**Akrem Belhaj:** Protecting our industry is essential. We’re calling for stricter regulations to control imported goods to ensure that only high-quality products can enter our market. Proposed reforms include enhancing technical controls on products and raising consumer awareness about the importance of supporting local businesses. Promoting Tunisian products must become a national priority if we are to safeguard our industry.
**Editor:** Thank you, Mr. Belhaj, for sharing these insights. It’s clear that both communication and a focus on quality are pivotal for the future of Tunisia’s leather and footwear sector.
**Akrem Belhaj:** Thank you for the opportunity to discuss these critical issues. Together, we can work towards reviving this important industry.
**Interview with Akrem Belhaj, Director General of the National Leather and Shoe Federation (FNCC)**
**Editor:** Thank you for joining us, Mr. Belhaj. The leather and footwear sector in Tunisia is facing significant challenges, particularly the paradox of having available job opportunities yet struggling to attract candidates. Can you elaborate on the reasons behind this discrepancy?
**Akrem Belhaj:** Thank you for having me. Indeed, it is a paradox that requires urgent attention. While there are numerous job opportunities in our sector, many young people have a skewed perception that deters them from pursuing available training and careers. This issue is partly due to a lack of effective communication regarding the real opportunities that exist. Additionally, political instability following the revolution has disrupted our efforts to engage meaningfully with youth and the authorities. To address this, we’re implementing initiatives like training caravans that go directly to regions where young people may not have access to traditional training centers.
**Editor:** Gaining the interest of young people seems to be critical. What specific strategies are you employing to enhance communication and awareness about the sector?
**Akrem Belhaj:** A key part of our strategy is fostering a dialogue with the Ministry of Labor to enhance the recognition of diplomas awarded by our training centers. We aim to show companies the value of hiring graduates from our programs, creating a virtuous cycle where trained individuals find jobs in their field. Additionally, we are forming partnerships with businesses to offer internships, allowing students to gain practical experience that complements their theoretical knowledge.
**Editor:** E-commerce is reshaping various industries, including leather and footwear. How do you perceive its impact, and how is your sector adapting to these changes?
**Akrem Belhaj:** E-commerce has indeed transformed the business landscape, presenting both opportunities and challenges for our industry. While online selling provides broader access to markets, it has also led to an influx of low-quality foreign products that undermine our local producers. To adapt, we must ensure that our artisans and businesses prioritize quality and develop effective marketing strategies to compete on digital platforms. This includes improving the online visibility of our products to attract consumers.
**Editor:** With the increase of foreign products in the market, how do you plan to protect the Tunisian leather and footwear industry?
**Akrem Belhaj:** Protecting our industry is crucial. We advocate for stricter regulations to control the quality of imported products, ensuring that only those meeting our standards can be marketed here. We’ve proposed reforms to enhance technical control of products in the market. Furthermore, raising awareness among Tunisian consumers about the importance of purchasing local products is a top priority. Supporting local industry not only bolsters the economy but also preserves our artisanal heritage.
**Editor:** Lastly, what specific support do you expect from the State to revitalize the leather and footwear sector?
**Akrem Belhaj:** The State must establish a regulatory framework that encourages investment and innovation within our sector. This involves improving access to financing for businesses looking to modernize or diversify. Additionally, fostering research and development is essential to help us stay competitive globally. Stronger collaboration between the private sector and training institutions is also necessary to ensure that the skills being taught align with the current needs of the industry.
**Editor:** what are your main priorities for the sector moving forward?
**Akrem Belhaj:** We have identified three main priorities: first, to strengthen enforcement of regulations protecting Tunisian industry from inferior imports; second, to restore funding for training institutions to enhance educational quality; and third, to promote awareness of the leather and footwear trades among young people. Achieving success in these areas will restore momentum and vitality to our sector.
**Editor:** Thank you for your insights, Mr. Belhaj. It’s clear that both challenges and opportunities lie ahead for the leather and footwear sector in Tunisia.
