PM Yang inaugurates FCFA 24bn Limbe Vocational Training Centre

By AminatehNkemngu

Prime Minister Philemon

Prime Minister Philemon Yang on Saturday 17 December inaugurated the 24 billlionfcfa worth Limbe Advanced Vocational Training Centre. The centre which was constructed with financial support from the Republic of South Korea is expected to train Cameroonians in various income generating disciplines.

                In his remarks at the inauguration ceremony, Prime Minister Philemon Yang told the population of Limbe that the centre belongs to them and as such they should manage it well and make maximum use of it especially in acquiring job creation skills as well as picking up jobs in other companies.

According to the Prime Minister, the centre which is one of three, alongside the Douala and Sangmelimacentres, is a concrete translation of President Paul Biya’s determination to create jobs and equip young Cameroonians towards Cameroon’s emergence by 2035.

                PM Yang lauded the population of Limbe for their legendary hospitality as exemplified during the just ended female AFCON; urging them to continue to maintain peace and protect public property.

The Minister of Employment and Vocational Training, ZachariePerevet for his part explained that the total cost of the project is 24 billion fcfa, of which 17 billion fcfa was provided by the Republic of Korea through a loan from EXIMBANK of South Korea. The project, he said comprised the construction of three centres, the dispatch of Korean experts and the training of trainers and administrative staff in South Korea and Cameroon, as well as the development of training programmes and textbooks.

The project, he went on aims to improve vocational training both qualitatively and quantitatively. Through it the Republic of Korea is accompanying Cameroon in the implementation of the Growth and Employment Strategy Paper to maintain the unemployment rate below 7% and reduce underemployment by at least 50%.This will be done through increasing decent job offers, matching employment demand with training and improving job market efficiency.

The minister said 14 different trades would be taught at the three centres in the country. The trades include electricity, electronic repairs, motor mechanics, wood work, welding, plumbing, office automation, beauty care, dressmaking and design, multimedia, hotel and tourism management, refrigeration and air conditioning and repairing of farming machines.

                Specifically in Limbe, the trades include wood work, plumbing, welding, electricity, mechanics, office automation, refrigeration and air conditioning and hotel and tourism management.

                Training will be carried out in the form of regular courses within the day as well as short courses in the evening, giving room for the award of either a Vocational Training Diploma, a Vocational Qualification Certificate, an end of course attestation and other certificates to be instituted for technicians and specialized technicians.

                According to the Technical Adviser No 1 in the Ministry of Employment and Vocational Training, Comfort Fomede, the cost of the training ranges from fcfa 450,000 to fcfa 500,000 per student per year.