Zimmi, Makpele Chiefdom, Pujehun District, Saturday 17 July 2021—The Minister of Planning and Economic Development, Dr. Francis Kai-Kai, says skills development plays a crucial role in fueling the growth of the economy and would contribute meaningfully to the development of every sector in the country. Furthermore, it will increase employment opportunities that would enhance productivity and growth.
He made this statement at the certification ceremony of the 1st batch of sixty trainees in the Youth Skills Development and Training program on the Bandajuma—Liberia Road project, with support from the EU through the National Authorizing Office (NAO).
According to Minister Kai-Kai, development around the world goes with skills. He went on to say skills were essential in reducing poverty and improving the personal well-being as well as giving the trainees clarity about their sense of direction in the New Direction especially about their means of livelihood as well as the much needed confidence to pursue their career with pride.
He reminded the graduates and the community of President Bio’s continuous commitment to youth empowerment and inclusion in the development of the country. Also, as Minister of Planning and Economic Development, he assured them and that youth development was part of every planning process of the country.
“Youth training was part of the New Direction manifesto. And President Julius Maada Bio, who you elected to become President of Sierra Leone, I swear to God believes so much in the business of the youths. The youths are at the center of every sector in the Medium-Term National Development Plan”, said Dr. Kai-Kai.
He said in most cases a lot of societies were left behind because of the lack of skills, which was why the Ministry of Youth Affairs continues to go all out in providing the necessary platform for youths to develop themselves. Minister Kai-Kai encouraged the graduates to deepen their knowledge in the skills they have acquired to be prepared for opportunities, even outside the country.
He encouraged the trainees that did not meet the certification standard to try again and overcome the challenges they came in their way by joining the 2nd batch to complete their training program, so that at the end of the day and in the spirit of the SDGs ‘no one would be left behind’. He congratulated the successful graduates and expressed full confidence in their ability, knowledge and skills acquired which are very necessary and useful for Sierra Leone’s development.
The Deputy Minister of Youth Affairs, Lusine Kallon, said the program demonstrates the New Direction government’s seriousness about taking development projects to the doorstep of every youth in this country. He said the recently reviewed National Youth Policy clearly laid emphasis on promoting livelihood, skills and innovation as a priority for the youths of this country.
Deputy Minister Kallon thanked the EU and the NAO for their commitment in addressing youth issues in the district.
The National Youth Commissioner, Ngolo Katta, said the implementation of the project combined live skills training and on-the-job training that could be expected to result in a better match of skills with needs of the private sector. He said the 1st batch of trainees enrolled 91 (16 graduates, and 75 community youths) and trained in specialized skills sets such as, stone crusher plant operator, Auto Electrician, Lock drilling machine operator, Excavator machine, Grade operator among several others.
Ambrose James, the Director, NAO, said it was a fulfilling moment for the graduates and also their parents. He said as an institution, they would continue to identify the potential opportunities for youth development interventions, working together with their counterpart, the EU.
Paramount Chief, Saffa Monya Tamu III, in his welcome address said the project was a clear manifestation of President Bio’s determination to eliminate youth unemployment in the country. He said they would continue to support the project and hoped that the remaining candidates would join the next batch to complete. He heartily welcomed all to the Makpele Chiefdom for such historic ocassion.
Dennis Swaray, the Pujehun District Youth Council Representative, said the project was a laudable venture; noting that it was a unique opportunity for the youths to strongly participate. He appealed to stakeholders to support Zimmi with a Skills and Vocational Training Centre to support the Soro-Gbeima and Makpele Chiefdoms, like some other areas within the district.
Esther Umu Rogers, one of the Graduate Trainees, in her vote of thanks said the process was rigorous and extremely challenging, but they endured and passed the exams conducted. She said the training program would go a long way in addressing youth issues in the community. She thanked the organizers and everyone for their continued support.
The Youth Skills and Development was implemented by the National Youth Commission in collaboration with CSE, the Sierra Leone Roads Authority, Local Content Agency, the Sierra Leone Institute of Engineers and the National Council for Technical Vocational and other academic awards (NCTVA). The project targets training of about 1540 youths, consisting university graduates and community youths