The European Union (EU) and Care International have partnered with the Somali Education Authorities to launch a vocational and higher education project to equip people with road infrastructure and renewable energy skills.
EU Ambassador to Somalia Veronique Lorenzo said, “This initiative comes at a crucial time of reconstruction and development of Somalia following decades of conflict.”
A long period of political and civil strife coupled with militant attacks has resulted in little investment in or maintenance of infrastructure crucial for expansion of domestic trade, access to markets and creation of jobs in Somalia.
An inadequate supply of clean energy and underdeveloped road networks hinder economic development and poverty reduction.
The 3.8 million Euros project which seeks to promote economic growth by training technicians and professionals will train 500 young Somalis too support the roads and renewable energy sectors in the country.
The project will build the capacity of Technical and Vocational Training institutions and universities in Somalia to deliver quality education and training.
Netherland’s Eindhoven University of Technology will provide the technical knowledge for the project.
“There is an urgent need for a human resource base with a higher level of vocational and technical skills to address the demands of the labour market in Jubaland and Somalia,” Jubaland President Ahmed Mohamed Islam.
Jubaland, an autonomous region in southern Somalia, particularly has significant needs for reconstruction of battered roads; expensive electricity; and unreliable energy supply.
The launch of the project which will be implemented countrywide was held at the Presidential Palace in Kismayu and attended by education authorities from the Federal Government of Somalia; Jubaland; and the other autonomous regions of Puntland and Galmudug; private sector; civil society organizations; and youth and women’s groups.
Source: footprint2africa
