Press release
The Gambia YMCA Computer Training Centre and Digital Studio in partnership with the International Trade Centre (ITC) conducts the “Empowered for Life” training programme to improve employability of 50 young Gambians.
The programme offers life skills modules on business English, general sciences, mathematics and Information and Communication Technology (ICT).
In this first phase, the focus is on youths in the West Coast Region between the ages of 16 and 23 years, particularly Grade 9 school dropouts. Attention is also given to grade 12 graduates with limited access to further training opportunities or productive employment.
The initiative is carried out under the Youth Empowerment Project (YEP), a project under the Ministry of Trade, Industry, Regional Integration & Employment (MoTIE) and the Ministry of Youths and Sports (MoYS). The project aims to create jobs and income opportunities for youth. The investment in skills development of youth is expected to benefit a number of priority sectors the project is targeting for job creation including tourism, ICTs, textile and agribusiness.
The objective of this training programme is to address the limited opportunities for skills development available to young Gambians and better prepare them for the labour market. The partnership also includes an entrepreneurship and leadership training with a showcase forum for youth participants to present their abilities and potential.
About YEP
The Gambia Youth Empowerment Project (YEP) is a four-year project that aims to support youth employment and entrepreneurship in the country to address the economic root causes of irregular migration. It is funded by the European Union (EU) Emergency Trust Fund for Africa with a total budget of EUR 11 million. By improving the employability of youth, especially potential and returning migrants, increasing income opportunities along value chains and helping young entrepreneurs to connect to trade and tap into the digital economy, this project aims to change the current migration trends and contribute to building the long-term growth and economic competitiveness of The Gambia.
About ITC
The International Trade Centre (ITC) is the joint agency of the World Trade Organisation and the United Nations. The organisation’s aim is for businesses in developing countries to become more competitive in global markets, speeding up economic development and contributing to the achievement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
About the trust fund
The European Union’s Emergency Trust Fund for Africa addresses the root causes of irregular migration and displaced persons in Africa. More specifically, it helps address the root causes of destabilisation, forced displacement and irregular migration by promoting economic and equal opportunities, strengthening security, development and resilience of vulnerable people.
