German support for The Gambia: ITC, GIZ, GTTI partner to empower young Gambians (en)

(Banjul) – Young Gambians will have a better chance of finding quality jobs and earning higher incomes at home through a new partnership between the Gambia Technical Training Institute (GTTI); the German agency for international cooperation, GIZ; and the International Trade Centre (ITC).

Representatives of the three organizations signed a memorandum of understanding today after the launch of the national Youth and Trade Roadmap, endorsed by President Mr. Adama Barrow and the government, youth, the business community and civil society, to tackle the root causes of youth unemployment.

Today’s signing marks the start of a cooperation triggered by German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier in December 2017 when he visited the GTTI with President Barrow. GTTI, GIZ and ITC are uniting their efforts to improve the quality of education offered to young Gambians – particularly vulnerable youth in rural areas – so that they are equipped with the skills needed to work in higher-value positions, enabling them to earn decent livelihoods.

‘Germany is a world leader when it comes to technical and vocational training, and we are happy to see this expertise coming to The Gambia,’ said Ms. Jahou Faal, Director General of the institute. ‘This partnership will open up many new opportunities for Gambian youth and help the GTTI to take its education to the next level.’

ITC Executive Director Arancha González said that the partnership will leverage existing efforts under the Youth Empowerment Project (YEP) to provide quality skills training for Gambian youth, as demanded by the market.

GIZ Regional Director Friederike von Stieglitz said: ‘GIZ looks forward to starting the cooperation with the GTTI very soon by complementing YEP activities and bringing in the German experience with technical and vocational education and training. The initial working experience with the GTTI and YEP has been very positive and dedicated.’

Partnering for change and rural development

The partnership will strengthen the vocational and technical training offered by the Gambia Technical Training Institute Mansa Konko Annex in the Lower River Region. It reflects the vision of the government as captured in the National Development Plan to prioritize youth-related issues and spur economic development in rural areas, including through decentralized skills training.

The GTTI, GIZ and ITC will exchange knowledge, experiences and tools on technical and vocational education and training in The Gambia. The three organizations will work together to monitor and evaluate how graduates do in their careers, and in general, how the project progresses.

The GTTI – which functions under the Ministry of Higher Education, Research Science and Technology – will manage the training programme including by selecting highly motivated teachers and administrative staff, leading workshops, training teachers, managing day-to-day operations and developing the curricula.

GIZ, funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), will offer technical assistance, revitalize workshops for students and teachers in Mansa Konko, provide teaching tools and equipment, and help coordinate the participation of returnees in the training programme. It will work with the GTTI on a plan to extend the project after its 18-month pilot phase.

Following the teachers training, ITC under YEP – funded by the European Union Emergency Trust Fund for Africa – will mobilize potential trainees, provide scholarships for vulnerable youth through the Skills for Youth Employment Fund, and connect GTTI and its trainees to companies for internship and job opportunities, among other tasks. ITC will also help build the capacity of the GTTI monitoring and evaluation department.

Notes for the Editor
ITC'S YOUTH EMPOWERMENT PROJECT (YEP) - The Youth Empowerment Project aims to reduce migration pressures through increased job opportunities and income prospects for youth. The four-year project takes a market-led approach and sets out to strengthen existing youth development systems, structures and services to create employment opportunities. The national sector export strategies have been funded by YEP through the EU Emergency Trust Fund for Africa.

For further information about the Youth Empowerment Project, please visit: www.yep.gm | www.intracen.org/yep | www.yep.gm | facebook.com/YEPgambia |Twitter @YEPGambia | Hashtag #YEPGambia | instagram: www.instagram.com/yepgambia/
For media enquiries, please contact:
Fatou Mbenga Jallow
Project Coordinator and Senior Technical Adviser – Gambia YEP
Tel. +220 3616993; +220 9662895
fjallow [at] intracen.org / yep [at] intracen.org

About ITC - The International Trade Centre is the joint agency of the World Trade Organization and the United Nations. ITC assists micro, small and medium-sized enterprises in developing and transition economies to become more competitive in global markets, thereby contributing to sustainable economic development within the frameworks of the Aid-for-Trade agenda and the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals.
For more information, www.intracen.org | twitter.com/ITCnews | facebook.com/InternationalTradeCentre | linkedin.com/company/international-trade-centre
For more information, please contact:
Susanna Pak
Media Officer
Office of the Executive Director
P: +41 22 730 06 51
M: +41 79 228 48 06
E: pak [at] intracen.org

About GIZ - GIZ is a public-benefit federal enterprise. Its main commissioning party is the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ). GIZ provides services in the fields of international cooperation for sustainable development and international education and has over 50 years of experience in a wide variety of areas, including economic development and employment, energy and the environment, and peace and security.