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The Ministry of Technical and Higher Education, in collaboration with UNDP, held a certification ceremony on September 14, 2024, at Eastern Technical University for participants of an upskilling program in building and construction.
The program, which aligns with President Julius Maada Bio’s “Big 5 Game Changers” agenda, aimed to enhance the competencies of 50 young people, preparing them for self-employment and sustainable development.
The UNDP-supported initiative focused on the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL), allowing participants to refine existing skills while gaining new knowledge in building and construction. The certification equips them with a competitive edge in the labor market.
Hon. Sarjoh Aziz Kamara, Deputy Minister of Technical and Higher Education, delivered the keynote address, praising the government’s progress in strengthening TVET as a foundation for industrialization. He highlighted the transformation of technical institutions and training programs that have benefitted over 20,000 individuals, particularly youth and women, in collaboration with the World Bank.
The Deputy Minister emphasized the alignment of TVET with labor market needs through a recent survey and called for continued donor support to establish five regional TVET centers of excellence.
These centers, along with community colleges in all 16 districts, will focus on key growth sectors such as agriculture, mining, and ICT to meet Sierra Leone’s economic demands. The initiative is part of the government’s broader efforts to reduce youth unemployment through vocational education and international partnerships
