AU initiative to provide training for vulnerable groups

A bureau for the Skills Initiative for Africa (SIFA), an African Union initiative to provide vocational training and improve employment prospects for young people, women and vulnerable groups, was launched last week at the University of Yaoundé in Cameroon.

The Skills Initiative for Africa or Compétences pour l’Afrique is an African Union Commission project supported by the African development partnership NEPAD and the German Development Bank.

According to the Cameroon Tribune, Yaoundé University will receive XAF4 billion (US$6.9 million) to open a training centre and set up a laboratory as a centre of excellence in renewable energies.

Cameroon is one of several African countries to benefit from the programme to reduce poverty, unemployment and under-employment. It is aimed at training young people, women and vulnerable groups, and at developing employment and entrepreneurial initiatives for refugees, migrants and the disabled, reported Cameroon Tribune.

The Yaoundé bureau was officially launched on 21 January by Minister of Employment and Vocational Training Issa Tchiroma Bakary in the presence of German Ambassador Hans-Dieter Stell and NEPAD representative Fati N'zi-Hassane.

Bakary underlined the importance of the project, which he said was dedicated to promoting professional qualifications through supporting practical and entrepreneurial skills in partnership with companies, reported the Cameroon Tribune.

The new SIFA bureau would fund the University of Yaoundé to build, renovate and equip training centres, train teachers and provide grant programmes, reported Cameroon Tribune.– Compiled by Jane Marshall.

This article is drawn from local media. University World News cannot vouch for the accuracy of the original reports.