At least 282 students graduated from Takku Legaye Skills Training Centre in Bundung, on Thursday, at a ceremony presided over by Crispin Grey-Johnson, the secretary of state for Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology, on behalf of President Jammeh. The graduates were were awarded certificates after completing a two-year intensive course on secretariat studies and hotel management.

The graduation, which was part of the week-long activities marking the 14th anniversary of the July 22 Revolution, also coincided with the sixth year birthday of the centre, which was unveiled in 2002 by President Jammeh to train young Gambians in various fields of skills training.

Speaking at the graduation ceremony, SoS Grey-Johnson, said that lack of trained manpower with relevant skills is a major factor that holds back successful economic growth and employment creation. He said the graduation of the students relives the hope that they are on the right track in the fight against unemployment.

“Business, industries, agriculture and commerce are the major engines of economic growth and the prosperity of any nation and the backbone of all these activities lies on education and training, including the technical and vocational skills development,” he said.

SoS Grey-Johnson emphasised that vocational and technical education is a sector that should receive the highest priority in any country, adding that it is well established that the acquisition of appropriate skills, both technically and socially, is required to cope with the revolving needs of the world populace.

He thanked all those who have contributed directly to the growth and establishment of the institution, noting that the types of programmes being offered are what is needed to move a country forward.

He called on the board members of the centre to consider the expansion programmes of the institution in order to serve the growing demands of young people, while expressing his department’s support at all times.

SoS Grey-Johnson also used the platform to remind the graduates about their responsibilities, urging them to take their work seriously in order to be worthy ambassadors of the institution.

For his part, Barra Jagne, the principal of the centre, expressed gratitude to President Jammeh  for his financial support to the institution and said that they will continue to serve the welfare of Gambian people, thereby transforming The Gambia into a “highly industrialised” nation.

Yusupha Sanyang, the deputy mayor of KMC, who represented his mayor, attested to the fact that the centre has registered profound progress  by providing skills training for young Gambians to secure permanent jobs in various disciplines, both in the formal and informal sectors.

“It is no idle talk therefore that Taku Legaye has remarkably contributed to the development of the human capital needed,” he added.

Other speakers at the ceremony included Amie Jatta, the director of the centre and Aja Kassa Konteh Sanneh, a community development officer at KMC. The  ceremony was attended by members of the Cabinet, NAMs, senior government officials, students and members of the community.