For young people looking for work in Tunisia, training is only part of the picture. The harder step is often turning skills into a real route into employment.

FBR@WORK was designed around that transition, linking funding to verified outcomes including placement and retention. After one year of implementation, the experiences of participants show just how different those routes can be.

We spoke to Ameni Bousnina, Syrine Zanina and Rayen Janhaoui about where they started, what helped and what comes next.

Closing the gap

The barriers between training and employment are rarely the same. For some, the challenge is practical experience; for others, confidence, access to employers or seeing a realistic route into a new sector.

What was the main challenge you faced before the training?

Ameni: Before the training, my main challenge for professional integration was a lack of self-confidence and accepting a very modest salary compared to the work provided, without having the courage to refuse unfavourable conditions, particularly a low salary and a heavy daily workload. I also wasn’t aware of the importance of focusing on my personal development and building good professional experience. I remained stagnant, always performing the same tasks, without seeking to grow.

Syrine: When IECD first contacted me about training as a real estate agent, I hesitated. But my first interview with Tecnocasa, which took place at the IECD premises, gave me hope and motivated me to commit to the training.

Rayen: I come from Kasserine, and I decided to move to Sousse to follow the commis chef training through FBR@WORK because I believed the opportunity could change my future. Leaving my region wasn't an easy decision, but today I can say it was one of the best choices I made.

Learning in practice

If training is meant to lead to work, the detail matters: what people practise, how closely it reflects the job, and whether it prepares them for what comes next.

What was most useful during the training?

Ameni: The most memorable moment was putting knowledge into practice: learning how to assess fabric quality, fix a minor machine issue, choose the right sewing needle, make a good cut, and tell apart the different types of machines and their uses. We were also directly involved on the production line, which allowed us to get closer to hands-on practice and gain more relevant, job-appropriate knowledge.

Syrine: The training lasted a month and a half and covered areas that were completely new to me. Some were indirectly related to real estate, such as transactional analysis and time management, while others were directly linked to the profession, including the role of the real estate agent, finance and the regulatory framework.

Rayen: The training allowed me to acquire technical skills, gain confidence and discover the demands of the profession in a professional environment. The trainers were always available to support us and encourage us to give our best.

After Training

A job is the most visible result, but the participants describe changes around it too: greater independence, more confidence, improved income and a clearer sense of where their career might go next.

What has changed since the training?

Ameni: My salary increased, which motivates me more, and my workload has decreased slightly. Thanks to the soft skills training, I've gained a better ability to manage stress. I’m also continuously learning new things that will strengthen my professional career. I feel more at ease, and my family feels it too. I now spend more time than before with my family and loved ones.

Syrine: At the end of the training, I was contacted by Tecnocasa Msaken. I completed an interview and will start working there in January. This training reinforced my determination to grow in the real estate field and represents a decisive step in my professional career.

Rayen: Today, I work at Marhaba Palace as a commis chef. I'm proud of the journey I've made and very happy to be part of a professional team where I continue to learn and develop every day.

What would you say to someone considering a similar opportunity?

Ameni: I strongly recommend this training, as I found its content very interesting. It's an opportunity to expand your professional network and to be trained in both soft skills and technical skills, with direct involvement on the production line that helps you become more competent and better prepared when starting a new position.