Youths Trained On Market-Relevant Skills and Business Development
By: Mariama Njie
The Tekki Fii Project or Make It in Gambia funded by the European Union launched a training program of GIZ component (German Development Cooperation) which is about helping youths to achieve skills on various areas, recently at NACCUG.
The overall objective of this project is to contribute to socio-economic development, nurture positive prospects for local populations and returning migrants. The project plans to trains Gambian youths on skills and business development
Speaking at the ceremony Stephane Meert Head of Cooperation of the European Union said, they have mandated GIZ international services to the employment of the youths in the greater Banjul area as well as lower and Upper River Regions, with over 5,000 youths to be trained in market-relevant skills and business development.
He explained that they have invested in a series of quality training packages designed to channel the positive energy of young Gambians towards employment or self-employment opportunities.
He pointed out that, the Tekki Fii is all about providing the youths of this country with a combination of these soft and hard skill, resulting in state certification, hands-on experience, market exposure so that they can forge their own future without having to look for opportunities elsewhere.
GIZ is offering a variety of training programs covering 17 trades, from construction to solar energy, from agro-processing to animal husbandry, from hairdressing to garment-making’’, he added.
Lamin Darboe , executive director of National Youth Council said by focusing on youth empowerment, the Tekki Fii program together with its many national implementing partners is facing the double employment challenge, that is contributing to greater employability through quality training.
“As our country emerge from a long period of hardship and economic fragility, Gambians together with international partners need to join forces and work towards the common goal of rebuilding our economy on a new sustainable foundation,” he said.
Christian Kuehnl Executive Director Operation of GIZ said that: “We are very proud that our implementing partners here in the Gambia have all adhered to a common network of training providers in the areas of TVET and business development’’.
He added that over 5000 young people to be trained in just three years, that their task is not an easy one but will ensure that each and every one of them finds access to the labour market.