Three More Institutions Closed

The National Training Authority acting within the powers vested on it has again served temporary closure notice to three other training institutions within the Greater Banjul Area, bringing the total number of training institutions temporarily closed within five months.

The institutions namely Humanity First in Latrikunda, YWCA St. Martha's Skills Training Centre in Fajikunda and Cinchips Computer and Secretarial Institute in Churchills town were ordered to temporary close down business following discovery by the NTA that these institutions failed to apply for registration and accreditation despite several correspondence to the effect.

This development, readers would recall, comes on the heels of the temporary closure of BanutuBusinessCollege in Lamin and Stratford College of Management. This also follows the discovery that current facilities and number of trainers were assessed to be seriously inadequate to either operate as a provider or capable of conducting the number and levels of courses to be on offer.

The National Training Authority established by an act of parliament in 2002, has Regulatory Supervisory and Monitoring functions over all public and private skills training institutions/providers operating in The Gambia. These functions among others include the receipt and review of applications for registration and accreditation as a provider or to be licensed as a trainer for specific courses and levels.

"The NTA therefore advised all training institutions not to engage the services of anyone who does not possess a valid Trainers License issued by the NTA Registration and Accreditation Lead Body", a news release from the NTA stated.