A two-day training program aimed at empowering 100 young men and women in refrigeration, building, and construction was conducted through a partnership between the Ministry of Technical and Higher Education (MTHE) and the National Development Program (UNDP). The initiative seeks to provide participants with formal certification, equipping them with essential skills and enhancing their employment opportunities.

The Chief Technical Officer of Higher Education, Dr. Josephus Brimah, underscored the significance of technical education in his address, stating that although Sierra Leone boasts a rich history of higher education, technical and vocational education has not received adequate attention until recently. “With the establishment of the MTHE by the current government, technical education is now a priority,” Brimah said. He highlighted the potential of education to transform the country, particularly by empowering skilled individuals in the informal sector who lack formal qualifications.

Deputy Minister of MTHE, Sarjoh Aziz-Kamara, emphasized the government’s commitment to developing Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) since 2018. He noted that this commitment was marked by the unbundling of the Ministry of Education into two separate ministries, one dedicated solely to technical and higher education. The Deputy Minister highlighted ongoing policy initiatives, including the development of a new Technical and Vocational Education and Training policy, with plans for a Technical and Higher Education Act.

Sia Fasuluku, Director of Research, Planning, and Development at MTHE, outlined the details of the training project, which is scheduled to run from September 9 to 13, 2024. The training will be held at Freetown Polytechnic and Eastern Technical University in Kenema, with certificates awarded to participants on September 13 at Freetown Polytechnic and September 14 at Eastern Technical University.

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Also present were Victor A. Sesay, Director of Ecosystem and Capability at the National Cyber Security Coordination Center, and Fendeh Moru Kamara, MTHE Statistician, both of whom made significant contributions to the event.

The training aims to address the growing demand for skilled labor in Sierra Leone by equipping youth with practical skills and formal qualifications, ultimately fostering economic growth and development.