By Mahzouba Maya Faal
The National Accreditation and Quality Assurance Authority (NAQAA), the technical arm of the Ministry of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology (MoHERST) for quality assurance, has been staging skills competition in the regions. The first stage of the Regional Skills competition was held in Basse, URR, while the second phase was held in Mansakonko in the Lower River Region of The Gambia.
The Regional Skills Competition is a component of the UNESCO – KOICA Youth Empowerment through Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Project.
During the opening ceremony, the CEO of NAQAA, Dr Gibril Jaw reiterated that skills education matters as it makes youth global citizens; that it improves their living conditions in the country and abroad.
“The skills competition drives innovation and progress, it pushes the youth to reach their full potential, and helps them to discover their hidden talents,” Dr Jaw stated.
He went further to note that the competition will sharpen skills and keep young people up to date - a vital force in raising and maintaining standards.
In her remarks, Fatou Janneh, Tertiary and Higher Education Officer and Focal Person for TVET at MoHERST, called on the representation of more girls in STEM while underlining the significance of the competition in motivating young people to take up skills as their profession.
The Governor of LRR, Seedy Lamin Bah, welcomed the team to Mansakonko and stated that the competition is a timely intervention for the region considering the effective strides taken by the government of The Gambia towards promoting skills development across the country. “The recently validated TVET policy is expected to serve as the policy framework that will ensure a quality and well-resourced TVET system that is accessible, equitable and inclusive to deliver through lifelong learning,” the Governor said.
Competitors of the Regional Skills Competition in Mansakonko, LRR
After the opening ceremony, the competition began for the 15 participants competing in 5 different skills areas: block laying; eelectrical installation; floor and wall tiling; rrefrigeration and air-conditioning; and fashion design.
The winners will later be invited to attend the National Awards Ceremony, where they will be provided with prizes. The 3rd round of the competition will be held in Bakau, Kanifing later in November 2022.
The winners of the Regional Skills Competition will further compete at the National Competition which will be held at the University of Science, Engineering and Technology (USET) in Kanifing mid-November, 2022.
