Africa-Press – Sierra-Leone. The Ministry of Technical and Higher Education (MTHE), in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), has held a national workshop to validate a new Competency-Based Industrial Plumbing Curriculum (Levels 1–6), aimed at aligning technical and vocational education with labour-market needs.
Speaking at the event, Minister Dr. Haja Ramatulai Wurie emphasized the critical role of technical and vocational education and training (TVET) in national development. She highlighted ongoing efforts to revive technical schools, expand demand-driven curricula, strengthen pathways from basic and secondary education into TVET, and promote gender inclusion in male-dominated sectors such as plumbing and construction.
Dr. Wurie called on industry partners to actively participate in curriculum design, certification, and accreditation, while encouraging mechanisms such as professional identification cards and recognition of prior learning for workers in the informal sector.
MTHE’s Director of TVET, Abdul Senesie, said the validation marked the culmination of three months of nationwide consultations with practitioners, reflecting national qualification standards and extensive evidence from stakeholders.
Representatives from development partners praised the initiative. GIZ’s Fred Joe Feika encouraged greater female participation and stronger private-sector partnerships, while IOM’s Sia Moses-Kabba noted that TVET is essential for the sustainable reintegration of returning Sierra Leoneans, citing over 3,600 returnees since 2022.
UNESCO’s John Dugba Kamara stressed that social partnerships are key to delivering relevant TVET programmes aligned with industry needs.
Lead consultant Ing. Alfred Abu provided an overview of Competency-Based Education and Training (CBET), outlining its outcome-based approach, flexible progression, continuous assessment, and industry-driven standards.
The workshop follows a series of regional consultations, technical reviews, and stakeholder engagements, reinforcing Sierra Leone’s commitment to expanding competency-based training and strengthening workforce skills development.
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