The graduating corp, which marks the 14th batch since establishment of NYSS, was recruited into the programme in 2022 for a two-year programme on various technical and vocational skills areas that are in high demand in The Gambia.
Some of the areas of training include tailoring, electrical installation, hair dressings, agriculture, Information technology, construction and tiling, catering, livestock, air conditioning and computer hardware maintenance among others.
Essentially, the programme was aimed at empowering the youth with the needed skills and knowledge to be able to scale down youth unemployment and boost self-employment among the youth folk.
Addressing the gathering, Bakary Y. Badjie, minister for Youth and Sports commended the graduands on their achievement, saying the programme is important in providing the needed skills and knowledge to Gambian young people.
The programme, he added, would significantly equip members with the needed skills to enhance social development.
"The Gambia government is devoted and committed to providing the needed skills and resources to the youth to have employment opportunities and employ themselves." he said.
Moving forward, Minister Badjie reminded that the training programme is significant in many ways and it would also curb irregular migration and provide Gambian youths with decent jobs.
The government of The Gambia, he added, is at an advance stage to implement agro-food entrepreneurship to promote food security in the country.
Abass Bah, executive director of NYSS, acknowledged that the training programme is already making impact in the society.
"Many of our corps members are now working within the construction industry following the boom in the sector in The Gambia."
Bah affirmed that the great success of the NYSS skills acquisition training programme is a result of the collaboration with its partner training institutions.
These partner institutions, he said, have been very fundamental in the overall skills acquisition training programme of NYSS.
He maintained that they have not only inculcated discipline and commitment among participants, but also helped youth learn skills and make impact in their respective communities and the country at large.
To that end, Bah called on the private sector to support the government initiative in providing skills and knowledge to the youth.
"Developing youth skills for employment creation will propel the economic development of The Gambia. When the youth are employed, they create wealth both for themselves and the country." he said.
Ms Aji Sainabou Jallow, board member for NYSS said: "NYSS since its establishment by the government continues to show commitment to carrying out its mandate to youth development through the provision of skills and livelihood training for the youth to be gainfully employed."
She said the NYSS board has been working tirelessly to enhance the work of the training institution and better serve Gambian youth.
"The board has initiated programmes and activities to improve daily running of the institution."
"In 2023, the board conducted a nationwide tour to discuss with regional stakeholders and visited NYSS structures and facilities in the regions including the two farmers in the Central River Region (CRR), West Coast Region (WCR), and a proposed regional TVET orientation centre in the Upper River Region." she informed.
She revealed that through the recommendation and approval of the board, with financial support from United Nations Development Programme the management conducted an institutional assessment, human resources audit and review of NYSS service rules through the service of a consultant.
Ms Jallow thus urged the graduands to make the best use of the skills gained during the programme so as to contribute to national development and change their lives.
Alhagie Sillah, guest speaker at the event, while delving into the importance of skills acquisition, maintained that it is key in empowering the youth to contribute to national development.
"You have not chosen a wrong choice because skills acquisition is part of our lives," he told the youth.
