MTHE Concludes Two-Day Training of Trainers for UNDP Upskilling Project

5th - 6th September, 2024

The Ministry of Technical and Higher Education (MTHE), with support from the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), has concluded a two-day training of trainers on "refrigeration" and "building and construction."

This training aims to equip 100 young men and women with formal certification for their skills, providing them with opportunities for employment and career advancement.

The significance of this training was highlighted by MTHE's Chief Technical and Higher Education Officer, Dr. Josephus Brimah, in his opening remarks. He noted that while Sierra Leone has a rich history of higher education spanning almost two hundred years, technical education has not received the same level of importance. With the establishment of the MTHE by the current government, it is evident that technical education is now a priority.

Dr. Brimah emphasized that technical education has the power to transform the narrative of Sierra Leone, adding that there is a large number of individuals in the informal sector who possess the necessary skills but lack formal qualifications. This leads to their exclusion from the workforce and limits their potential. To address this issue, Dr. Brimah noted that MTHE is conducting the training to recognize prior learning, giving these individuals an opportunity to be formally recognized and employed.

The Deputy Minister of MTHE, Sarjoh Aziz-Kamara, shared that MTHE had prioritized the development of TVET education since 2018, with the unbundling of the Education Ministry into two separate Ministries. He emphasized that this journey had been focused on policy development, including the development of the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Policy, and that there are also plans on having a Technical and Higher Education Act.

Minister Aziz-Kamara highlighted the fact that Sierra Leone had long been focused on the theoretical aspect of education, and expressed his pleasure in sharing the Ministry's vision for the TVET subsector. He announced that plans are underway to transform Government Technical Institutes (GTIs) into community colleges, while maintaining a strong TVET component within the institutions. Additionally, the Ministry is working towards establishing Centers of Excellence in each of the five regions of Sierra Leone.
He also acknowledged the need to equip the TVET subsector with the necessary equipment and machinery to meet the demands of an ever-changing world. He noted that while TVET is of utmost importance, it has unfortunately lost its value in society. The Ministry's goal is to change such perception and make TVET more attractive and relevant to the needs of the country.

He disclosed that MTHE has recently completed the Skills Development Project, which has laid a strong foundation for the future of TVET in the country. However, he emphasized that there is still much work to be done in consolidating the gains made in the TVET subsector, while strengthening the capacity of the National Council for Technical, Vocational, and other Academic Awards (NCTVA).

The Director of Research, Planning and Development at MTHE, Sia Fasuluku, gave a comprehensive overview of the training project, which will take place from 9th to 13th September, 2024 at Freetown Polytechnic and Eastern Technical University in Kenema. Following the training, certificates will be awarded to the trainees on the 13th of September, 2024 at Freetown Polytechnic, and on the 14th of September, 2024 at Eastern Technical University.

During the training, MTHE's Statistician, Fendeh Moru Kamara, made a presentation on the final result framework and the final training evaluation form. This will ensure that the effectiveness and impact of the training can be accurately measured and evaluated.

In addition to this, National Cyber Security Coordination Center's Director of Ecosystem and Capability, Victor A. Sesay, did a presentation on the development of a digital directory for the trainees.

Victor A. Sesay highlighted the necessary information and data needed to develop this directory, emphasizing the importance of staying updated with digital technology.