Gambiaj.com – (Foni Kansala, The Gambia) – The inauguration of the Kanilai Vocational and Technical Skills Training Center by the Honourable Minister of Higher Education, Research, Science, and Technology, Professor Pierre Gomez, signals a significant stride in The Gambia’s drive to decentralize Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET).

The government has earmarked this project, valued at D2.1 million, as the nation’s commitment to empowering youth with employable skills and fostering socio-economic transformation.

The center, situated in Foni Kansala, aims to equip youth with marketable skills in welding, fabrication, tailoring, and fashion design. It forms part of The Gambia’s broader Recovery-Focused National Development Plan (RF-NDP) 2023–2027, which prioritizes skill development to address youth unemployment, curb illegal migration, and bolster private sector growth.

Minister Gomez emphasized the strategic role of TVET in achieving these goals. “Through the MoHERST Strategic Plan 2021-2025 and the National TVET Policy 2021-2030, we are expanding access to TVET nationwide, updating curricula to meet labor market demands, and integrating industry-standard equipment to align with modern workforce needs,” he said.

International Collaboration

The Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TIKA), which donated training materials for the center’s welding and tailoring programs, played a pivotal role in the project. Turkish Ambassador to The Gambia, His Excellency Fahri Turker Oba, highlighted TIKA’s investment of over D2.1 million, underscoring the importance of youth empowerment in fostering sustainable development.

TIKA Coordinator Sule Bayar reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to equipping the center for effective skills training. “This support ensures that young people are equipped with the tools they need to succeed in competitive industries,” Bayar noted.

Complementing TIKA’s contribution, the MRC Holland Foundation provided $250,000 for the center’s development. Dr. Henrietta Sonko, the foundation’s coordinator, urged youth to embrace determination and self-belief, emphasizing the transformative power of skill acquisition.

The Vice Chancellor of the University of Applied Science, Engineering, and Technology (USET), Professor Nazmat Toyin Surajudeen-Bakinde, lauded the new center as a beacon of excellence in The Gambia’s education landscape. “Each TVET center reflects USET’s mission to integrate entrepreneurship with science, engineering, and technology education. These institutions offer pathways from certificates to degrees, preparing youth to thrive in a competitive global economy,” she stated.

The Kanilai TVET Centre stands as a testament to the active participation of international partners like TIKA and the MRC Holland Foundation. The project exemplifies how collaboration can unlock opportunities for youth and transform the socio-economic landscape.

As the center opens its doors, it invites young Gambians to embrace the promise of technical education, laying the foundation for a brighter future driven by innovation, self-reliance, and economic growth.