The United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), with funding from the Government of Japan, has launched the Automotive Maintenance Skills Development Project aimed at creating employment opportunities for Sierra Leonean youth in the automotive sector.
Under the theme “Building Resilient Youth Through Skills Development,” the initiative aims to train 10,000 young people, equipping them with industry-relevant skills to enhance self-employment and meet the growing demands of the automotive industry.
During a recent visit to the training center, the Acting Deputy Minister of Youth Affairs, alongside the Minister of Technical and Higher Education, assessed the facility’s readiness for operation. Their visit marked an important step toward the project’s implementation, which is expected to enhance the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) system in Sierra Leone.
The project will develop two modern curricula—automotive technician training and entrepreneurship ensuring that young people, including women, are well-prepared to succeed in the evolving labor market.
“This initiative empowers our youth with essential skills while contributing to the nation’s sustainable economic growth,” said a ministry spokesperson.
With thousands of young people targeted, the project is poised to transform the employment landscape, fostering innovation and economic resilience in Sierra Leone’s automotive sector.
