The National Training Authority (NTA), on Wednesday, organised a day's validation workshop on Mapping Study of Industries (MSI) in The Gambia at a ceremony held at the Paradise Suites Hotel in Kololi.

In his welcoming remarks, Momodou Bittaye, on behalf of the director of NTA, welcomed the participants and urged them to take the workshop seriously.
Jawara Gaye, project manager of the Project Coordination Unit at the Department of State for Basic and Secondary Education (DoSBSE), said the Third Education Sector Programme is geared towards supporting the education sector in the implementation of its aims and objectives.

"The project links formal, technical and vocational training for the accomplishment of a number of goals as envisaged in Vision 2020," he revealed.

Mr Gaye also highlighted the contributions of the private sector in terms of development.
He said one of the key points noted in this (MSI) proposal for the consultancy was to conduct this workshop as part of its methodology.

For his part, Abdou Njie, from the Sahel Investment, who represented the lead consultant, said education and human resource development are key priorities and important factors to economic growth and poverty reduction.

According to Mr Njie, recent reports have shown some deficiencies in the provision of training due to the lack of links between the NTA, government and the training providers.  He added that there is also a lack of data collection.

Mr Njie finally said despite some initiative, there is still need for more steps towards ensuring a link between all stakeholders.