Celebrating Resilience and Hope: 25 Returnees Graduate from Intensive Automotive Skills Training Program in Sierra Leone

Strategic Insights -

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) partnered with the Freetown Polytechnic to celebrate the graduation of 25 returnees who successfully completed an intensive automotive skills training program. This significant milestone marks a step towards supporting sustainable livelihoods and reintegration opportunities for returnees in Sierra Leone. Funded by the European Union, the program equipped participants with practical automotive maintenance skills, including engine repairs, tire and battery replacement, and diagnostic checks.

Key Takeaways:

  • The program, funded by the European Union, provided intensive automotive skills training to 25 returnees in Sierra Leone, focusing on practical maintenance skills like engine repairs, tire and battery replacement, and diagnostic checks.
  • The training is part of a wider initiative to equip young people and returnees with hands-on technical skills to foster economic stability and discourage irregular migration.
  • IOM and UNIDO emphasized their commitment to strengthening partnerships with the Government of Sierra Leone, non-Governmental institutions, and other United Nations agencies to ensure migrants are not left behind in national development efforts.
  • Dr. Samba Moriba, Principal of Freetown Polytechnic, hailed the collaboration as a milestone in vocational education, highlighting the importance of international partnerships in shaping the future of technical education in Sierra Leone.
  • Representing the Ministry of Youth Affairs, Assistant Director, Cyrus Chrispin Justice reaffirmed the Government's dedication to youth empowerment, stating that initiatives like this are critical in achieving the goal of making young people valuable assets to their communities and the nation.

Statistics:

  • 25 returnees graduated from the intensive automotive skills training program.
  • The program was funded by the European Union.
  • The training focused on practical automotive maintenance skills, including engine repairs, tire and battery replacement, and diagnostic checks.
  • The program is part of a wider initiative to equip young people and returnees with hands-on technical skills to foster economic stability and discourage irregular migration.
  • The Government of Sierra Leone, non-Governmental institutions, and other United Nations agencies are part of IOM and UNIDO's commitment to strengthening partnerships to ensure migrants are not left behind in national development efforts.

Sources:

  • IOM and UNIDO Press Release, July 25, 2025.
  • European Union, "Supporting Sustainable Livelihoods and Reintegration Opportunities for Returnees in Sierra Leone."