By Astou Jawara
The International Trade Center (ITC) and Sterling Skills Training Center, on Tuesday, 18th January, 2022, graduated 138 young Gambians after their successful completion of a nine-month intensive practical training programme.
The initiative is funded by the European Union (EU) Skills for Youth Employment (SkYE) Fund, through the Youth Empowerment Project (YEP) and the Jobs, Skills and Finance (JSF) for Women and Youth in The Gambia programme, which is aimed at providing relevant market-led skills and promoting employability of women and youth.
The 138 young Gambians were trained in solar installation, CCTV installation, plumbing, satellite installation and repairs, and vehicle diagnostic and repairs, conducted at the Sterling Technical Training Center in Busumbala.
Professor Sidat Yaffa, the guest speaker of the occasion, applauded the graduates and encouraged them not to underrate their education. He also enjoined them to make best use of what they’ve learnt during the nine-months training and to become productive Gambians.
“We are pleased to witness the graduation of 138 youth and women who have been supported by YEP JSF. The nine-months intensive course work was delivered through hand-on practical training, industrial placement, field visits and fieldwork”, the Technical Adviser and Coordinator for JSF at the ITC, Mr. Yusupha Keita told the graduation ceremony audience.
While noting the training programme has exposed the students to the latest technologies and new networks in their industries, he intimated that the industry placement and practical experience is an important stepping stone towards successful self-employment.
According to Keita, the programme had already resulted in 50 new jobs for young Gambians.
The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Sterling Technical Training Center, Mr. Kebba Sillah, told the gathering his Center has, over the years, expanded its operations across the country by setting two mobile training units in Bansang and Janjanbureh, and an annex campus at Basse to make Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) accessible to rural Gambians.
He put on record that from 2019 to 2021, the Sterling Technical Training Center has signed contracts with many partners, among them are: “University of The Gambia (UTG) WASCAL Project to train 20 youths in Solar PV system design, installation and maintenance; ITC, through YEP and JSF project, to train 140 youths; and MoTIE/EPSDP [Ministry of Trade, Industry, Regional Integration and Employment/ Enterprise Private Sector Development Project] to train 40 youth and other private students”.
Mr. Basiru Secka of the Employment Directorate at the MoTIE, said the way forward is for all stakeholders, including his ministry, donor partners, and the private sector, to create as many employment opportunities as possible.
“Plan are under way to decentralize the job center across the country. In this way, job seekers do not have to come all the way to the Greater Banjul Area (GBA) to register,” Secka informed his audience.
Other speakers included Dr. Christoph Rovekamp from Germany; Ms. Fatou Jammeh from Ministry of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology (MoHERST).
