By Amadou Manjang
Crab Island Technical Vocational Educational Training Centre opened an annex in Bwiam, Foni, on Thursday.
The programme is funded by the United Nations Peace Building Fund and implemented by the International Trade Centre with support from the Foni Ding Ding Federation.
The program will commence with the training of 50 students on solar installation, hairdressing and beauty salon on full scholarship plus stipend. The training will last for nine months.
Speaking at the inaugural ceremony, Ousman Sillah, Chairperson and Founder of Crab Island TVET Foundation Centre said the annex is going to be a catalyst for positive change in the region.
He said the annex will help youth in the Foni by minimizing the numbers of youth that are living in the Foni region to go to Kombo to learn skills. He said they face many difficulties.
He further added that the annex will bridge the gap between youth in rural and urban centres as far as skill development is concerned.
He urged the community members and stakeholders to work together in transforming the lives of youth through skill development.
Edi Bah, Manager of Foni Ding Ding Federation said the centre is an opportunity for youth empowerment and as a hope for technical skills and careers development.
He further added that the vision of Foni Ding Ding Federation is to ensure youth have skills.
During the ceremony, Crab Island TVET Foundation Centre signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Foni Ding Ding Federation. According to Mr Bah the MoU is a sign of their shared commitment toward skills development.
Matarr Njie, the Director of the TVET Centre, said the trainees are selected from the five districts in Foni. He said the trainees will undergo 3 months of internship before they will be certified.
He said the skills the students are learning are market relevant skills. He pointed out that Crab Island has experience in conducting this with positive results.
He further added that their training provides a quick impact on the community and in the lives of the trainees.
Ida Jeng Njie, representative of the Governor of the West Coast, advised the students to take the opportunity seriously. She said they should utilise the skills gained during the training.
On his part, Yusupha Kieta said that skills development is a fundamental pillar in job creation; adding that skills development is critical and necessary in the country.
Meanwhile, he told the students that the training is not going to be an easy ride. He said it is going to be intensive training, therefore, he called on the students to be resilient so that they can successfully complete the training.
