By Fatoumatta j camara
The Minister of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology Prof. Pierre Gomez on Wednesday conducted a familiarization tour to two institutions within Kanifing Municipal Council namely, MalickMendy’s Tailoring and the President International Awards (PIA).
In the visit to Malick Mendy’s Tailoring, the CEO of the tailoring shop, Malick Mendy said he started offbusiness in the 90s with barely one thousand dalasi but today his training institute is able to provide job opportunities for over 50 young people and provide high quality tailoring service within and outside the country.
“We are going to sign an MOU with the Malick Mendy tailoring for the youths to be trained for this place to be accredited TVET center because you cannot get a better center than this when it comes to tailoring in Senegambia and also be offering certificate and diploma programs,” Minister Gomez stated.
Marie Marong, a trainee at Malick Mendy’s Tailoring explained the importance of knowledge and skills. “It is an opportunity to be in this institution. You will be trained on how to sew and will learn a lot and gain sustainable income by sewing clothes for others,” she noted.
The education minister, in a similar visit to the President International Awards (PIA), was received byNfamara Darboe, the Chairman Board of Directors PIA. Darboe disclosed that the educational system at PIA prepare the youths to be job creators, adding that youths who acquire skills will be able to create employment for themselves and also employ other young people.
“The PIA institution gives priorities to those who thought they have failed in life, for them to regain their spirit and also contribute to the country development,” PIA Director said.
Minister Gomez said the students at the PIA should be encouraged in their work so that every year they can have one or two people to train, adding that education should be multi-functional and as the government, they will continue to support the students.
The Regional Director of West Coast Region, Fatoumatta F Sanyang, said the purpose of the PIA institution is to eradicate poverty by creating job opportunities for the young people by making sure they are equipped with the right skills and technical knowhow in order to live a sustainable life.
