D2.1M Kanilai Skills Training Center inaugurated

The D2.1 million project was inaugurated at its premises in Kanilai village in Foni Kansala and attracted dignitaries and a cross-section of the Foni communities

The project was implemented by the Turkish Government through Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TIKA), which donated the training materials for two programs. The materials donated include welding and fabrication items as well as tailoring and fashion design.

In his inaugural speech, Professor Pierre Gomez revealed that The Gambia has embarked on a transformative journey under the Country’s Recovery-Focused National Development Plan (RF-NDP) 2023–2027.

This blueprint, he said, prioritises skills development for employment, to help in curbing illegal migration, fostering human capital and bolstering private sector growth.

He stated that central to this vision is promoting Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) and Science, Technology, Engineering and Entrepreneurship (STEE) as pathways for socio-economic transformation.

“We drive this agenda through the MoHERST Strategic Plan 2021–2025 and the National TVET Policy 2021–2030. Key initiatives include expanding access to TVET nationwide, revising curricula to meet labour market demands, and integrating modern, industry-standard equipment.”

For his part, Fahri Turker Oba, Turkish Ambassador in The Gambia, recalled that TIKA has been in The Gambia since 2018 and they have implemented more than 80 projects in the country.

As a developing country, he said The Gambia needs to address her challenges too.

“Indeed, unemployment of the youth (41.5%) is higher than the average unemployment rate. Indeed, we have to tackle the unemployment issue, we have to bring hope, to train the youth for the market needs and to make sure that a company in need may easily find qualified skilled labor,” he stated.

Sule Bayar, TIKA Coordinator revealed that TIKA was designed to promote the necessary equipment, materials and supplies for the Center’s welding and tailoring programs to ensure effective skill training in these areas.

Professor Nazmat Toyin Surajudeen-Bakinde, Vice Chancellor of the University of Applied Science, Engineering and Technology (USET), explained that every single TVET Centre is a representation of what USET stands for.

This she said, serves as Centers of excellence that offer certificate, diploma, and degree programmes in Science, Engineering and Technology with entrepreneurship skill set.

She applauded the donation, which she said, would significantly help serve the people of Foni especially Kanilai and its environs.

“Our other partners who made this possible are MRC Holland, who built the dormitories and renovated the classrooms and the brighter future, who is there always to ensure the dormitories are well taken care of and our students have quality food to eat at highly subsidized rates.”

Dr. Harirata Sonko, MRC-Holland director, while encouraging youth in the area to have self belief with determination, equally urged them to venture into skill acquisition.