Legal framework & national vocational training system
Law n° 2018/010 of 11 July 2018
The law governing vocational training in Cameroon sets the general legal framework and the fundamental guidelines for vocational training. The scope of vocational training covers all post-basic-education training, provided by public institutions or by private institutions approved by the State.
The State treats vocational training as a national priority: it organises it, controls it, and guarantees equal access to training in both official languages to anyone meeting the required conditions.
The three pillars of vocational training
Initial training
Provides the skills, knowledge and know-how essential to carrying out a professional activity.
Continuing training
Provides retraining or upskilling for professionals, either in an institution or in a company.
Apprenticeship
Long-term alternating training between a company and a centre, leading to a recognised qualification.
Public vocational training institutions
Decree n° 2020/2592/PM of 9 June 2020 sets the rules for the creation, organisation and operation of vocational training and apprenticeship centres. Six categories of public institutions make up the national network:
Opening a private vocational training centre
Any individual or legal entity may create a private vocational training or apprenticeship centre, subject to prior approval from the Minister in charge of vocational training. The centre's name must be preceded by “Vocational training centre”, “Vocational training institute” or “Apprenticeship centre”. The approval is valid for three (3) years, renewable.
Training the trainers
The National Centre for Trainer Training and Curriculum Development (CNFFDP), established by presidential decree in 2023, is tasked with training trainers and promoting vocational training engineering, in liaison with the Ministry's Directorate of Training and Career Guidance.
A system undergoing rapid modernisation
JEME
National programme launched in November 2025 to train, qualify and durably integrate people in rural, peri-urban and urban areas: learning a trade, finding salaried work or starting a business.
Inserjeune
Digital platform for tracking professional integration: over 15,000 graduates, 350 institutions and 450 partner companies registered.
D-CLIC
Project run with the International Organisation of La Francophonie to train 300 participants in digital trades.
Reference texts
- Law n° 2018/010 of 11 July 2018 governing vocational training
- Decree n° 2020/2592/PM of 9 June 2020 on training centres
- Decree n° 2012/644 of 28 December 2012 on the organisation of the Ministry
Validation of Prior Experience (VAE)
VAE is a right recognised for anyone with professional skills acquired through work experience, allowing them to obtain a certification matching their experience.