By Marilyn King
FREETOWN, Feb. 25 (232news.com) –The Dycar/ Pinnacle Hospitality Training School certifies 105 Students, this event took place at the New City Hall in Freetown.
Speaking at the ceremony, Skills Development Fund secretariat, Mohamed Sheriff stated that the skills development project is a 22-million-dollar project, and the significant part of the project is towards the skills development fund which aims to increase access to demand skills training.
He furthered that as a result of that they have to put out advert, and made publications to Institutions to meet the Job market, specifically demanded skills.
He continued that Dycar/ Pinnacle applied and they competed with five hundred institutions and they succeeded.
He went on to say that a year ago the project was launched at Sierra Light House and they targeted 115 trainees and now they have over 90 percent of students that is graduating.
He advised the graduates to put up their best when they will be employed in different institutions and told them they will be moving around to supervise them and will expect to see them doing their own business so that they will be more empowered.
Representative of the Minister of Technical and Higher Education, Sajor Aziz Kamara said that Dycar/ Pinnacle has done a great job.
He continued that over 115 Students, Dycar/Pinnacle has a turnover of 105 Students. He continued that 8 out of 10 youths are out of jobs, and the Hospitality industry is a key industry, and they will give out their best.
In Her keynote address, the project officer Of Dycar/Pinnacle, Madam Yvette Shears said that their mission is to upskill youths in the Hospitality sector, and the training of youths to include women and persons with disability in the Hospitality and tourism sector.
She furthered that Dycar/Pinnacle had seen the lack of service provided in the Hospitality, entertainment and tourism sector.
She furthered that the sector covers tourism, restaurant, hotel accommodation for business and tourist guests, night clubs, casinos, bars and corporate and mining canteen.
She also said that the industry continues to suffer from this vacuum as a result of the ten years’ war, noting that most of the professionals left for greener pastures.
She stated that hotels, restaurants and entertainment owners were left with little choice but to employ the none professionals in the hope of training them on the Job.
She maintained that Dycar/Pinnacle therefore had envisioned to fill this vacuum by providing suitable qualified personnel through their six months training program. She concluded that Dycar/Pinnacle started with 115 youths and successfully trained 105 youths who have been fully equipped for employment. She also said they currently have the following in full time employment, which is 40 Female and 21 Male.
Distribution of certificate to students climaxed the occasion.
