About 25 students have graduated from the Torit Vocational Training Center in Torit County of Eastern Equatoria State.
The students were trained in tailoring, hairdressing, automotive mechanics, and catering since November last year, sponsored by the Global Aim Organisation.
Speaking during the graduation ceremony on Friday, Okello Germano the center’s principal applauded the graduates and partners for their collective effort.
“We were given 30 trainees to be trained. Some dropped out and today we only have 25 trainees, 18 female and seven males graduating,” he said. “There is one problem that hinders proper training and that was the delay of equipment or materials and secondly are the trainees who dropped out.”
Victoria Sunday a graduate of the tailoring course said she is now equipped with life skills that can earn her a living.
She called on other young men and women to join the program for economic independence.
“We always come to school on foot and when we ask for transport they tell us they don’t have it. This is our challenge. But I am going to practice tailoring in a different place and I hope to train someone else. I urge others to join the program,” she said.
Another graduate, Olara Mosses, from the catering faculty said he chose catering as it is his passion to open a small eatery within the town.
“My message to the youth is that this training is very much important, it can pave way for them so that they can stand on their own feet. So I encourage them to come and attend the training, especially catering because catering the things are not too expensive,” Moses advised.
Meanwhile, the director-general at the ministry of education Gabriel Oliha Omwang congratulated the students and appealed to partners to continue supporting the graduates to fully utilize their skills.
“Congratulations on what you have done. This is self-employment instead of depending on the government to employ you. What you have got from here you are going to put it into practice and you are going to gain from it,” he added.
Source: Radio Tamazuj