Freetown- The International Organization for Migration (IOM) in partnership with the International Labour Organization (ILO) in Serra Leone have concluded (on 19/10) a five-day training of trainers (ToT) on Gender and Entrepreneurship

The aim of the workshop was to equip 18 trainers with adequate knowledge and skills to deliver Training of Entrepreneurs (TOE) for 240 youths and young entrepreneur women in Sierra Leone. Trainers were selected from different districts including Bo, Kailahun, Kono and Western Urban districts. Most of them are professionals in entrepreneurship and business management related areas. They were selected through a recruitment process that was conducted by both IOM, National Youth Commission (NACOM) and ILO.  

“This training is meant to enable trainers and subsequently the trainees to realize that there are many business opportunities in Sierra Leone and there is no need to migrate but rather tap in the domestic opportunities for job creation and economic growth” said Paul Mayanja project manager at ILO Sierra Leone.

“This training is not only useful for our project, but will also help to reinforce Sierra Leone existing entrepreneurship framework. Trainers who have gone through this workshop are expected to use the knowledge and skills acquired to train young entrepreneurs in their various communities in the country” said Akao Kunikazu, TVET and Entrepreneurship Project Manager IOM Sierra Leone.

The participants were trained on a wide-range of topics including techniques to adult learning; introduction to starting a business; business ideas; Business planning and coaching.

The ToT is an activity under by the project “Reducing the Risk of Irregular Migration through Promotion of Youth Employment and Entrepreneurship in Sierra Leone” implemented by the IOM in partnership with ILO with funding from the Government of Japan. The project aims to contribute to youth and women’s empowerment through vocational and entrepreneurship skills training.

 For more information, please contact Akao Kunikazu, at IOM Sierra Leone:  Email:  kakao@iom.int or Paul Mayanja at ILO Sierra Leone : Email:  mayanja@ilo.org