A four-day training workshop on village based skills training for sustainable skills centres ended recently at Wassu in Niani District in CRR North.

Speaking earlier the Community Development Officer, Mr Alieu Mbowe, said the workshop was organised by the Department of Community Development and funded by the Community Skills Improvement Project (CSIP) with the ultimate aim of training youths and women on marketable skills such as tie and dye and batik making. According to Mr. Mbowe, CSIP has three components and skills training is only one of them. He added that the rationale behind the skills acquisition programme is to sustain multipurpose centres. He then urged the participants to make the best use of the opportunity as a lot of funds have been pumped into the training.

For his part, the lead trainer, Mr. Johnny Moses, said the training targeted 15 participants and at the end the participants are expected to contribute and give feedback. He advised the participants to diversify their skills into other areas that will generate income.

According to him, the CSIP provides all the materials needed to kick-start their new venture including a D30,000 grant as start-up capital.

For her part, Mrs. Allamuta, the CDA of CRR North, spoke at length on the importance of acquiring skills. She said that the more women and young people who acquire skills the more the unemployment rate will drop. She urged the participants to make the best use of the skills and knowledge they had gained and help to train others who were not fortunate enough to attend the training.

Delivering the vote of thanks Mrs. Hawa Jallow of Wassu commended CSIP and DCD on behalf of the participants and assured them that the skills gained will be fully utilised.

The workshop ended with an examination to test the participants level of knowledge in the areas they had been trained in. All participants passed the examination.