The National Youth Commission (NAYCOM) and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) Sierra Leone have signed an agreement to enhance Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) for young returnees. This marks the start of a second phase in their initiative aimed at providing specialised skills training for returnee youth in Freetown and Makeni.
This initiative, funded by the European Union through the Migrant Protection, Return and Reintegration Programme in Sub-Saharan Africa, aims to equip returnees with vocational skills that are relevant to the job market, promoting their economic independence and successful reintegration into Sierra Leonean society.
The partnership addresses the skills gaps faced by vulnerable young returnees by offering practical training to help them secure employment or start their own businesses. NAYCOM and IOM will ensure that the vocational training provided meets the demands of the labour market, facilitating sustainable livelihoods and stronger community integration for the returnees.
The TVET programme is part of broader efforts by the Government of Sierra Leone and various development partners aimed at supporting young people, reducing vulnerabilities linked to irregular migration, and enhancing the contributions of returnees to national development. This initiative also seeks to foster inclusive reintegration by ensuring returning migrants have access to opportunities that bolster their long-term economic and social well-being.
