On Tuesday 10 November 2020, the GIZ Employment Promotion Programme (EPP) project together with their cooperation partners held a planning workshop at The Place Resort in Tokeh. EPP had started its fourth phase in August 2020 and is scheduled to conclude in April 2024. The fourth installment of the GIZ-implemented project is co-financed by the European Union and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ).
Background
Dr. Ralf Zimmermann, the Programme Coordinator, gave a brief background on the EPP. He informed participants that the retreat was meant for the planning for 2021. He furthered that the key partners of the project are the Ministry of Technical and Higher Education (MTHE), the Ministry of Planning and Economic Development (MoPED) and the private sector.
The main objectives are to target youth between 15-35 years of age to improve employment of young people. The creation of 500 new jobs, with a 50% share of women is one of EPP’s expected results. The programme is carrying out its activities mostly in the North East of Sierra Leone – Kono, Koinadugu and Kabala, where the EPP project is focused on the following:
- Rapid Skills Development
- Public Private Partnership (PPP) Education
- TVET Governance
- TVET Service Quality
- Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) Support
Presentations were done by the following GIZ staff:
Wuyango Harding – Output 3 – TVET Governance
He elaborated on the development of a National Qualifications Framework in Sierra Leone. He assured the meeting that GIZ EPP was going to support the development of the NQF.
Abubakarr Sesay – Output 2 – Effective Training Partnership with the Private Sector
He reported that 250 young people, 50% of which are women, have already received job-related training.
Yusuf Jalloh – Output 1.1 – Rapid Strengthening of Commercial and Basic Skills
He said that EPP was to train 5000 young unemployed people in basic employment-related skills and competencies.
Alphonso Campbell – Output 1.2 & 5.1 – Rapid Strengthening of Commercial and Basic Skills
He informed the meeting that MSME support has been improved by an average of 75%. He said that 750 young owners of MSMEs have been funded.
Joseph Michael – Output 5.1 (cont.) – Facilitate for Growth (F4G).
Facilitate for Growth aims at providing technical and financial support of MSMEs with market growth potentials.
Conclusion
By way of closing Dr. Zimmermann thanked all participants for attending the retreat.
Author: Adama Bannister (Personal Assistant)
