Freetown, Sierra Leone – (SLENA) – In a bold step towards addressing youth unemployment and boosting skills development, the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), in partnership with the Government of Sierra Leone and with funding from the Government of Japan, has inaugurated a Centre of Excellence for Automotive Training at the Freetown Polytechnic’s Kissy Campus.
Themed “Promoting Youth Employment through Automotive Maintenance Skills Training,” the initiative aims to equip Sierra Leonean youth—especially women and marginalised groups—with practical, market-driven skills in automotive maintenance and entrepreneurship.
Empowering the Next Generation
Delivering the opening remarks, Ms. Mariatu Abionor Swaray, UNIDO Country Representative in Sierra Leone, hailed the initiative as a transformative milestone in youth empowerment. She emphasised the Centre’s mission to close the skills gap in the automotive sector and thanked national leaders for their continued support.
Ms. Virpi Stucki, Chief of UNIDO’s Division of Fair Production, underscored the Centre’s foundational pillars—Skills, Strength, and Success—and noted that it is the first in the country to offer a nationally accredited, competency-based curriculum in automotive maintenance and entrepreneurship. With a capacity to train 400 youth annually, including 200 in technical skills and 200 in entrepreneurship, the Centre also supports local and international instructor training to ensure long-term impact.
A Shared Vision for Sustainable Development
His Excellency Hiroshi Yoshimoto, Japanese Ambassador to Sierra Leone, described the initiative as a testament to the enduring friendship between Japan and Sierra Leone. Drawing on Japan’s post-war development, he noted the pivotal role of skills training in building economic resilience.
Mr. Patrick George, Deputy Minister of Youth Affairs, praised the Centre as a “beacon of hope” for young people, urging them to view it as a springboard to entrepreneurship, job creation, and peer mentorship.
Dr. Haja Ramatulai Wurie, Minister of Technical and Higher Education, reiterated the Ministry’s dedication to vocational education reform, highlighting the Centre’s alignment with President Bio’s Youth Employment Scheme. She described the Centre as a national hub for innovation, access, and technical excellence, capable of shaping a skilled workforce for Sierra Leone’s future.
Voices of Change
Beneficiaries Foday S. Kamara and Posseh M. Kamara shared inspiring testimonies about their transformative journeys through the programme. Trainer Mr. Dauda S. Bangura also reflected on the initiative’s positive impact on both students and the broader education ecosystem.
Delivering the keynote address, Chief Minister Dr. David Moinina Sengeh connected the initiative to Sierra Leone’s Big Five Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGS). He cited real-life examples of trainees transitioning into fields such as agricultural mechanisation, construction, and teaching, emphasising that human capital investment is crucial to long-term development. Dr. Sengeh commended the beneficiaries for demonstrating perseverance and excellence.
Looking Ahead
The event concluded with a ribbon-cutting ceremony, a guided tour of the facility, and a media engagement session. All partners reaffirmed the importance of sustained collaboration among government, development agencies, private sector actors, and civil society to scale up technical skills training nationwide.
The Automotive Centre of Excellence stands not only as a state-of-the-art learning facility but also as a symbol of Sierra Leone’s commitment to inclusive development, youth empowerment, and sustainable economic growth.
Credit: Richard Williams
Ministry of Technical and Higher Education
