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68 graduate at Insight Training Centre

Jan 22, 2010, 12:37 PM | Article By: Abdoulie Nyockeh & Njie Baldeh

At least 68 students recently graduated at Insight Training Centre in various courses, at a colourful ceremony held at Sinchu Alagie in Kombo North.

Speaking at the ceremony, the principal of the school, Dr. Ismaila Sisay, who doubles as the Chief Executive Officer said the school was cerebrating a decade of existence, the graduation of its students and the inauguration of their own school, including the two classroom blocks sponsored by Gamjobs.  

According to him, the occasion was made possible through the National Training Authority (NTA) and Gamjobs, who donated us a sum of D1, 184,640 for the completion of the classroom blocks, the provision of IT materials, construction and electrical equipment for training.

"In 1999, we set out on journey of uncertainty which is the establishment of a training institution. Tertiary education was largely for non-Gambians because there were few training institutions and most were owned by foreigners, some of whom are here to help us but we cannot leave them alone to do without our involvement as Gambians," he stated. He said teaching is a noble job but establishing a school is nobler.

Principal Ceesay furthered explained that the mission of Insight's journey some years ago was to provide quality, affordable and relevant skills training to everyone, especially the youths.

"Our reflection today should be to measure of how far we have gone in achieving those goals and what our shortcomings are," he added.

For Dr. Sisay, they cannot provide affordable training if they are dependent on rented buildings, thanks to the magnanimity of the people of Sinchu Alhagie who have allocated them a piece of land and the generosity of Gamjobs for constructing the building.

For his part, Essa Coker, Operation Manager, said the government of The Gambia recognises the importance of skills and entrepreneurship development as major strategies to help develop a productive and competent work force, which is in response to the demands of economic and social order of the new millennium.

With a view to addressing the problems of unemployment and poverty, particularly among youth and women, Mr. Coker added, the government of The Gambia, with support from the UNDP and other donors had launched Gamjobs. He said the overall objective of Gamjobs is to give effect to the development of a skill and efficient workforce, and thereby creating opportunities for self-employment.