By Assan Bah
The Crab Island Technical Vocational Education Training Foundation (CTVETF) has received a significant consignment of equipment worth over two hundred thousand Dalasi from the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China to The Gambia.
The donated items, including printers, scanners, A4 paper, and various stationery materials, were received on Wednesday. The materials are set to enhance the foundation’s capacity to deliver technical and vocational education to Gambian youth.
At the handover ceremony, Ousman Sillah, Founder and Chairperson of the Crab Island TVET Foundation, expressed his deep appreciation for the donation. He highlighted the importance of technical and vocational education in building the workforce and equipping individuals with the skills necessary for The Gambia’s economic development.
“Technical and vocational education training is crucial for individuals to build workforce capacities and equip them with necessary skills for their country’s economic development,” Sillah stated.
He noted that the support from the Chinese Embassy would bolster the foundation’s operations, especially as it seeks to expand its technical offerings.
Sillah also revealed exciting developments on the horizon, including the introduction of the Chinese language and culture at the centre, thanks to the growing partnership between the Crab Island TVET Foundation and China. The foundation recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Jiangsu Maritime Institute (JMI) in Nanjing, China, making Crab Island one of only five TVET institutions across Africa to formalize such partnerships.
“This partnership with Jiangsu Maritime Institute will significantly enhance our technical training programs, especially as we plan to roll out maritime courses, an area where The Gambia faces an acute shortage of technicians,” Sillah explained.
He added that the centre plans to introduce six new skills areas in November, including IT, hospitality, auto mechanics, and welding, in addition to the highly anticipated maritime courses.
Since its inauguration in October 2021, the Crab Island TVET Centre has graduated 175 trainees, with 97% of them deemed competent and awarded Level 1 certificates under the Gambia Skills Qualification (GSQ) Framework. Sillah proudly shared that 200 more trainees are set to graduate this month, having completed courses in various fields such as hairdressing, plumbing, electrical installation, and solar installation.
His Excellency Zhou Ningwu, Deputy Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China, praised the foundation for its commitment to TVET education and encouraged the trainees to remain disciplined and optimistic.
“Discipline and optimism are fundamental to one’s success,” Zhou said. He emphasized China’s deep commitment to TVET education, noting that skilled workers are the backbone of China’s economic growth and
innovation.
He said: “The attitude towards TVET has fundamentally changed in China. It is now recognized as a critical pillar of our economy, and the same recognition is growing globally, including here in Africa.”
Zhou also touched on the shared aspirations between China and Africa, stating, “Achieving modernization is a dream that both the people of China and Africa pursue tirelessly. Boys and girls, whether in The Gambia or China, are treasures of their country, all dreaming big and contributing to the modernization of their motherlands.”
He assured Gambian youth of the Chinese government’s continued support in areas of TVET education, employment, entrepreneurship, and innovation.
“The embassy will expand capacity-building cooperation in fields such as agriculture, health, energy, engineering, and digital technology. We will also create more scholarship opportunities for TVET students,” Zhou pledged.
The donation marks a strengthening of the bonds between The Gambia and China, as both nations continue to invest in the development of technical skills for the youth, paving the way for a brighter and more prosperous future.
