I am an independent person who dislikes being confined, so the traditional school system didn’t work for me.

At 17, while my classmates were studying for their high school exams, my older brother and I started a company exporting olive wood. I loved the challenge and decided to drop out of high school to focus on it. My parents weren’t thrilled, as they wanted me to have a degree.

My entrepreneurial journey hasn't been without its challenges. The COVID-19 crisis forced us to shut down our business. However, this setback turned out to be a blessing in disguise. While staying at my grandfather's farm during the pandemic, I rediscovered my passion for agriculture, which led me to embark on a new career path.

With the support of my parents, I enrolled in CSFPA Chott Mariem, a vocational training center in Sousse. I first gained a professional technician’s certification and then began pursuing an advanced technician’s certificate in horticulture. To help me learn, I use online courses modules that let me work at my own pace and fit studying around my schedule. On top of that, I attend face-to-face training sessions where trainers use self-assessment questionnaires to evaluate my progress and provide feedback.

Youssef Chebbi, Horticulture Trainee at CSFPA Chott Mariem

The online horticulture training modules are part of a pilot project between the U.S. government through its USAID Tunisia JOBS program and the Ministry of Employment and Vocational Promotion, represented by the National Center for Training of Trainers and Training Engineering (CENAFFIF). Through the project, JOBS helped CENAFFIF develop 14 online course modules in four high-demand sectors – agriculture, textile, electromechanics, and tourism.