The National Youth Commission and its partners with support from European Union have certified, one thousand five hundred and forty (1,540) youth in its Youth Skills Development and Training Bandajuma-Liberia Road Project “Competency-Based Training” making it the 3rd batch to be certified the ceremony was held at Zimmi community Barray, Pujehun district.

The deputy commissioner of the National Youth Commission, Emerson Kamara while giving the overview of the project stated that Sierra Leone’s population is youthful and this is an opportunity for the development of the nation if this youthful population is properly utilised.

He lamented that one of the key reasons why many young people are jobless is not because there are no jobs, but it’s because they lack the necessary skills to attract these jobs.

Adding that, in line with His Excellency the President’s agenda in human capital development was what brought about this youth skills development and training project, he said.

“One thousand, five hundred and forty (1540) young people have benefited from this project and we are here to certify the second and third batch”, he added.

He thanked their partners for their immense support and for listening to their call and making sure that they achieve the agenda of His Excellency the President; which has to do with Human Capital Development.

It is a project that is of immense importance to Pujehun District, he concluded.

Lusine Kallon, the deputy minister of youth affairs advised young people who have received their certificate in youth skills development and training to not wait and expect the government to come to provide jobs for them at their doorstep step. He, however, urged them to go in search of jobs with their newly acquired skills.

He made it known to the European Union delegation that Pujehun District is not the only district in Sierra Leone that has young people. He pleaded with them to see how best they can be able to help extend such skills training to other districts across the country.

‘It’s only when we develop the minds and skills of young people of this country, then the violence and misuse of drugs will be mitigated’, he strongly stated.

He concluded by congratulating all those who went through the training successfully.

The European Union Representative, Holger Rommen opened his statement by warmly congratulating deserving trainees who went through the training successfully.

He stated that the road works from Badaguma to the Liberia border are indeed a major achievement. Before the road was constructed, the travel time from Badaguma to the Liberia border was up to a day; but now, is it just one and half hours.

He added that the road has improved some major activities and this has brought about operation costs and has provided basses for economic growth, development and trade.

He further stated that human capital development is also a priority area of the European Union’s partnership with Sierra Leone.

He also made mention of some of the other supports that the European Union has been giving to Sierra Leone ranging from teacher recruitment and management, improvement of teaching practices, provision of devices and supplies for schools, policy and management support for technical and vocational schools among others.

He thanked all those who in one way or another gave a helping hand to make sure that the project was a success, especially the National Youth Commission and its partners.

He excitedly said that he’s proud that the European Union decided to provide the finance for both the road works and training.