Dr. Momodou Lamin Tarro made the statement on Friday, August 14, 2026, during the validation of the National Apprenticeship Policy at the International Conference Center in Bijilo.
The document, he said, aligns with the Recovery-Focused National Development Plan 2023-2027 and part of ongoing efforts to reform and strengthen the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) system.
According to Dr. Tarro, the policy also seeks to address skills gaps by establishing a comprehensive framework for the regulation, coordination, implementation, quality assurance, financing, and continuous improvement of apprenticeship programmes across The Gambia.
“This will promote stronger collaboration among government, industry, employers, training institutions, and regulatory bodies to ensure apprentices acquire the competencies, practical experience, and professional values required in today’s workplaces,” he said.
As the authority responsible for quality assurance in tertiary and higher education, including TVET, Dr. Tarro said NAQAA will ensure all apprenticeship programmes meet national standards.
Through the Gambia National Qualifications Framework, he added, NAQAA is working to ensure apprenticeship qualifications are nationally recognised, internationally comparable, and aligned with labour market requirements.
“The validation is timely. It provides us an excellent opportunity to align the draft policy with government expectations, industry needs, and the aspirations of employers, training providers, apprentices, and the wider Gambian society,” he noted.
He stressed that the successful implementation of the policy will depend on collective commitment.
Key features of the policy Dr. Tarro highlighted include: dual training model combining structured institutional learning with supervised workplace experience; competency-based training and assessment; nationally recognised qualifications; quality assurance mechanisms; recognition of prior learning (RPL); apprentice welfare and employer participation and effective monitoring and evaluation.
These measures, he believes, will enhance the credibility, quality, and attractiveness of apprenticeships as a pathway to decent employment and lifelong learning.
