Biography
Marianne Kujala-Garcia is a dedicated expert in education and skills development who understands how governments and international organisations design and implement education systemic reforms, innovations and how to align with them. With over two decades of experience across the national government, European Union and United Nations in regions including Africa, Asia, and Latin America., she advises stakeholders on navigating complex education and labour market environments shaped by development priorities, demographic change, and evolving skills demands.
She currently serves as a VET and Labour Market Expert within the Team Europe Initiative on Opportunity-Driven Skills and Vocational Education and Training in Africa at the Finnish National Agency for Education. In this role, she supports policy dialogue, programme development, and the implementation of vocational education and skills initiatives aligned with EU Global Gateway priorities. Her work focuses on strengthening inclusive, high-quality education and skills systems towards concrete and decent employment opportunities arising from investments and related value chain developments in Sub-Saharan Africa.