{"id":662446,"date":"2025-03-17T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2025-03-17T00:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/enterpriseam.com\/egypt\/blackboards\/adult-education-is-filling-an-increasingly-important-and-growing-gap-in-the-market\/"},"modified":"2025-03-17T00:00:00","modified_gmt":"2025-03-17T00:00:00","slug":"adult-education-is-filling-an-increasingly-important-and-growing-gap-in-the-market","status":"publish","type":"blackboard","link":"https:\/\/enterpriseam.com\/egypt\/blackboards\/adult-education-is-filling-an-increasingly-important-and-growing-gap-in-the-market\/","title":{"rendered":"Adult education is filling an increasingly important and growing gap in the market"},"content":{"rendered":"

You\u2019re ne<\/strong>ver too late <\/strong>to learn \u2014 and your boss likely agrees: <\/strong>While the attention of the state and private sector education players is often firmly set on primary, secondary, and higher education, adult education is increasingly becoming recognized for its important role in keeping businesses up to date with a changing marketplace and as an investment prospect in its own right. The incoming second machine age \u2014 to quote Andrew McAfee and Erik Brynjolfsson \u2014 is changing what we work on and the way we work on it at breakneck speed, increasing pressure on employees and job seekers alike to upskill to stay relevant.<\/p>\n

(Tap or click the headline above to read this story with all of the links <\/strong>to our background as well as external sources.)<\/p>\n

We spoke to AUC School of Continuing Education Dean Mahmoud Allam and G-Tec <\/strong>Education Egypt CEO <\/strong>Qaed Ebrahim t<\/strong>o find out more <\/strong>\u2014 two very different institutions with different target audiences, business models, and courses. While the American University in Cairo\u2019s School of Continuing Education \u2014 or SCE \u2014 is a 101-year-old institution, the Indian global skills and training center network entered Egypt in late 2024<\/a>.<\/p>\n

There\u2019s broad agreement that adult education fills an important gap<\/strong>, as \u201ctraditional education models in Egypt have long focused on early-stage education, and there\u2019s been a historical shortfall in opportunities for adults to upskill or retrain in line with new market realities,\u201d Ebrahim told EnterpriseAM. Allam similarly told us of \u201ca gap in high-quality, flexible, and industry-relevant training\u201d that the SCE wants to fill and added that those in underserved areas in particular \u201clack access to structured lifelong learning opportunities.\u201d <\/p>\n

As technology advances, the gap is only set to grow<\/strong>, and Egyptians are looking towards adult education as a way to \u201cnavigate an ever-evolving job market.\u201d Allam told us. The same trend is noticeable at G-Tec, with Ebrahim also observing that \u201cprofessionals are increasingly seeking training that is practical, flexible, and aligned with current demands.\u201d As a sign of G-Tec\u2019s assessment of the \u201cgrowing demand for skills relevant to a digital economy,\u201d the company is planning to open at least 25 new centers in its first full year in the country.<\/p>\n

And the gap in adult education is a global issue<\/strong>, with rising demand pushing G-Tec to open up over 790 centers across 23 countries \u2014 including all members of the GCC \u2014 Ebrahim said.<\/p>\n

But adult education doesn\u2019t only cater to those battling in the job market or for a <\/strong>promotion<\/strong>, with Allam telling us that the SCE \u201cserves a diverse group of learners ranging from 8 to 80 years old,\u201d including those looking for \u201cnon-professional lifelong learning offerings.\u201d Outside of those looking to upskill and reskill, G-Tec also sees financial literacy as an important part of its offerings.<\/p>\n

The kind of in-demand courses reflect trends in the job market and inside companies<\/strong>, with Ebrahim telling us that they are seeing demand for data analytics, AI, cybersecurity, software development, e-commerce, and others. Allam likewise pointed to digital literacy, artificial intelligence, business management, and data analytics as sought-after subjects.<\/p>\n

But it\u2019s not just tech driving demand<\/strong>, as companies in Egypt and throughout the Middle East are increasingly seeking professionals who not only have technical knowledge but also possess soft skills such as critical thinking, adaptability, and effective communication, Ebrahim added. Soft skills, leadership, and communication are also popular at SCE as they are \u201ccrucial for career advancement and ensure our learners stay competitive in the market,\u201d Allam added. Languages \u2014 in particular English \u2014 also still drive much of the career-conscious market for adult education, Allam told us.<\/p>\n

What the students want and what the market needs are in broad alignment<\/strong>, demands which the SCE tries to meet by conducting \u201cregular needs assessment surveys across various industries, engaging employers, professionals, and stakeholders to identify emerging skill gaps and in-demand competencies.\u201d Allam explained that these assessments \u201cenable us to refine our curriculum, introduce new courses, and enhance existing programs to equip learners with the practical knowledge and market-ready skills needed for career advancement.\u201d G-Tec likewise works with industry partners to make sure their \u201ccourses are in sync with the specific demands of employers.\u201d<\/p>\n

But what the job market is looking for and what courses institutions like SCE and G-Tec <\/strong>offer will continue to change<\/strong>, with Allam highlighting data analysis, AI literacy, cybersecurity, and digital marketing as being increasingly important. Ebrahim pointed to the exact same subjects and added that adaptability and creative innovation will become increasingly important to help individuals \u201cpivot quickly as industries evolve\u201d.<\/p>\n

Adult education is not just a benefit to those taking the courses but supports the whole <\/strong>economy<\/strong>, both of our sources told us. \u201cBy upskilling employees and entrepreneurs, we contribute to the creation of a more competitive and dynamic labor market,\u201d Allam explained. Ebrahim described how adult education also \u201cattracts investment, creates jobs, and spurs broader economic development.\u201d <\/p>\n

Despite its importance, adult education \u201cdoes not always receive the same level of <\/strong>funding and attention as traditional education sectors<\/strong>,\u201d Allam told us. While investment and worthwhile initiatives do exist, there is a need for \u201cgreater investment and policy support,\u201d he added. These programs can also sometimes be \u201climited by scale or speed in adapting to industry changes,\u201d Ebrahim said. The most recent state initiative saw the Social Solidarity Ministry and the Manpower Ministry sign a cooperation protocol with charity organization Sona3 El Kheir to train 1 mn citizens over the next three years in handicrafts, tailoring, electrical work, plumbing, IT maintenance, and languages, according to a statement<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Looking ahead, \u201cwe would like to see more collaboration between the private sector, <\/strong>government, and educational institutions<\/strong>,\u201d the head of the SCE told us. Doing so could better help \u201cintegrate lifelong learning into national development strategies,\u201d he added. Incentives for companies to put their money into the professional development of their employees and stronger public-private partnerships also have a role to play. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

A rising demand for upskilling and new training initiatives are reshaping Egypt\u2019s adult education sector<\/p>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":662447,"template":"","categories":[7211],"tags":[169,7095,73,179,72,1281,3630,3499],"class_list":["post-662446","blackboard","type-blackboard","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-blackboard","tag-auc","tag-blackboard","tag-education","tag-enterprise-blackboard","tag-enterpriseam","tag-manpower-ministry","tag-social-solidarity-ministry","tag-vocational-education","wpautop","entry"],"acf":{"mongo_id":"c476544a-9244-4dd8-96e4-ace6d8c4065a","order":"11","is_powered_by":false,"story_type":"2","photo_url":"https:\/\/ent.news\/2025\/3\/1254.jpg","photo_position":"above","homepage_title":"","full_issue_title":"Adult education is filling an increasingly important and growing gap in the market","related_issue":[662427],"teaser":"A rising demand for upskilling and new training initiatives are reshaping Egypt\u2019s adult education sector","voice_url":"https:\/\/s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com\/ent.news\/audio\/2025\/3\/.4f945be6-10cd-439d-bd41-5d72f0a89821.mp3"},"yoast_head":"\nAdult education is filling an increasingly important and growing gap in the market - 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