At a high-level side meeting of the African Union (AU) on the Decade of Education and Skills Development, Hon. Prof. Pierre Gomez reaffirmed The Gambia’s firm commitment to advancing skills development and strengthening workforce readiness.
Speaking at the event, Prof. Gomez highlighted the country’s development-oriented Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) policy, which is aligned with regional and continental frameworks, including those of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the AU Skills Strategy. He noted that the policy places strong emphasis on Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education and demand-driven training tailored to labour market needs.
Among the key milestones achieved, he cited the establishment of regional TVET centres across the country and the creation of the University of Applied Science, Engineering, and Technology (USET), aimed at expanding access to practical, industry-focused higher education.
Prof. Gomez underscored the central role of private sector partnerships in The Gambia’s TVET reform agenda. These collaborations are reinforced by Sector Advisory Bodies, which help ensure that training programmes remain relevant, high-quality, and aligned with both national standards under the Gambia National Qualifications Framework (GNQF) and international benchmarks.
He further outlined several strategic funding mechanisms established to sustain skills development, including the National Research and Innovation Fund, the Tertiary and Higher Education Trust Fund, and a Students Revolving Loan Scheme. These initiatives are complemented by the Skills Innovation and Entrepreneurship (SIE) Fund, which operates three financing windows: institutional improvement for high-demand TVET programmes, youth training grants, and start-up grants to support youth-led enterprises.
Concluding his remarks, Prof. Gomez reiterated The Gambia’s openness to local and international private sector investment, south-south cooperation, and bilateral partnerships as part of its broader strategy to build a resilient, skilled, and globally competitive workforce.
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