IOM presents equipment worth D2.5m to GTMI

The donation is meant to equip the newly renovated labs of the GTMI.

Presenting the items, IOM Chief of Mission in The Gambia, Fumiko Nagano said the equipment and tools donated will contribute to the newly refurbished PC\ Laptop Repair lab, Solar, electrical lab, and digital video editing lab of GTMI.

Ms Fumiko expressed optimism that the donated materials will enhance the functional capacity of GTMI to respond to the rising demand for these skills without compromising their quality.

“It is envisaged that, today’s donation of IT equipment and tools to the GTMI will quadruple the number of trainees. It should also translate in 20% reductions in tuitions fees GTMI will be charging for skills training in the sector in the next two years.”

The donation, she added, was made possible through a project IOM is implementing in the Gambia funded by the Italian government through the Agency for International Cooperation.

Also speaking, Malick Bah director of GTMI said the donation marks another milestone in GTMI partnership with IOM, which he recalled, started in 2019.

Bah explained that GTMI in its derive to meet the increasing demand for its programs has embarked on an expansion of its facilities, saying the expansion included three refurbished labs for solar installations, laptop repairs, and digital video editing and production.

“Upon completions of the civil work, we face the huge challenge of equipping these labs. IOM then came to our rescue by accepting to support us by providing the necessary equipment and this overall cost 2.5 million dalasis”. 

In a bid to empower youths in the communities of origin to achieve their livelihood expectations and promote local alternatives to irregular migration, IOM had previously supported one hundred and fifty (150) youths to undergo various training programs at GTMI.