Train of Trainers on Trade manuals

Don Bosco Tech Africa is making great strides to ensure TVET education is successful in all Don Bosco TVET institutions in Africa and Madagascar.  DBTech Africa is guided by SDG 4; Quality Education and believes that achieving this goal will lead to the achievement of SDG 8; Decent Work and Economic Growth, which in turn leads to the achievement of SDG 1; No Poverty. If all these goals are achieved, then there is a guarantee of an integrated, prosperous and peaceful Africa.

People and labour mobility are important in spurring integration and development in Africa. The demand for specialized technical skills is on the rise in Africa hence the need to equip more people. Don Bosco Tech Africa is aware of the challenges facing the Salesian Provinces in Africa to develop skills that meet the labour market demands.

Accordingly, from October 24^th to 28^th, Don Bosco Tech Africa in collaboration with the Centre for Urban Rural Youth Development Programmes (CURYDP) organized a five-day workshop to train the trainers who will participate in training the youth using the six manuals that have been developed. The six manual covers the trades of; Electrical, Hairdressing and Cosmetology, Building and Construction, Tailoring, ICT and Agriculture. CURYDP consulted various stakeholders to develop a curriculum that is industry driven to create enterprises that can compete regionally and globally.

During these five days, Don Bosco TVET trainers in the six fields were equipped with pedagogical skills to enhance their service delivery through the newly developed training manuals. They are expected to trickle down the gained skills to the trainees. This will ensure that the Don Bosco TVET centres become centres of excellence and a learning point for all other technical schools in the region.

The participants expressed their gratitude to the trainers for sharing their expertise with them and they affirmed they will utilize the skills acquired to make Don Bosco TVET centres exemplary in Africa. On their part, the trainers expressed their gratitude to DBTech Africa for giving them the opportunity to transfer their knowledge to the Don Bosco trainers. They added that they have created a great rapport and will be always available to help when needed.

CURYDP Director Mr. Elikana Epiche thanked DBTech Africa for their great mission of empowering young people through skills in Africa. He emphasised that CURDYP remains committed to the continuation of this partnership that will lead to a prosperous Africa driven by skilled labour.

In his closing remarks at the conclusion of the workshop, Br. John Njuguna Deputy Director DBTech Africa, underscored that this workshop was an opportunity to promote peer learning within the provinces and institutions. He accentuated that once the Don Bosco TVET centres are successful through these new training approaches then it can be easier to share it with other public and private institutions within the continent through regional bodies like EAC, ECOWAS and SADC. He further challenged the participants to have a vision that in ten years’ time Africa will have enough skills for its developmental needs.

The six developed training manuals will go a long way to promote the harmonization of standards and the mutual recognition of qualifications which are crucial for the mobility of skilled labour. Br. John reminded the participants that their institutions are the flagship of this intervention and it is the responsibility of all to ensure its success. “In each and every country represented here let us feel the change, when it comes to the assessment of students next year we should be able to see a difference in the performance of those students,” He concluded.

Don Bosco Tech Africa will continue to work with its partners to develop teaching/training staff with expertise in both technical and pedagogical skills that utilize a learner-centred approach.