The Vocational training Centre well equipped for pratical training.
The director of the school Ekome Stephen addressing trainees at the opening .
By Mesumbe Nelly in Bangem
Bangem, the divisional headquarters of KupeMuanenguba is increasingly becoming an academic citadel with more professional training institutions cropping up.
The Community Action for Development (CAD), a non-profit civil society organization has provided another milestone, with the opening of a vocational training centre in Bangem.
The CADs Livelihood Opportunity Training Center that is an independent arm of CAD, opened its doors 7 January 2025 with 35 pioneer students and 7 teaching and administrative staff.
According to CAD CEO, Martin Etone, “The centre has been established within the framework of the partnership between CAD as the implementing agent and Manos Unidas in Spain as the funding partner.”
He notes that the primary goal of the vocational training centre is to enhance the career and entrepreneurial skills of underprivileged women and youths, through specialized vocational training workshops.
“Our youths, especially women need professional skills for their livelihood. With the advent of information technology, this training center provides that unique opportunity to help the youths of KupeMuanenguba,” Etone Martin says.
The center currently offers training in Hair Design and Beauty Therapy, Catering and Pastry, and Information and Communication Technology (ICT). This will be coupled with soft skills in citizenship, group dynamics and leadership, HIV/AIDS, personal education, English and French languages, he says.
“These courses have been meticulously designed not only to arm women and youths with the badly needed vocational skills and knowledge that will help them create jobs, generate income and contribute to local and national economic growth, but also to contribute to the achievement of one of Cameroon’s strategic objectives to promote green jobs and fight against youth unemployment and under-employment,” CAD CEO Martin Etone says.
The opening day of Centre was marked with presentations on operational guidelines of the school, usage of equipment, tools and materials. Trainees were also briefed on the school attire for daily and occasional wears, general discipline, registration formalities, as well as a guided tour to the various classrooms and training workshops.
The training at the center adopts a hands-on approach, with 80% of the training being practical demonstrations and the remaining 20% theoretical. This practical focus ensures that trainees are well-equipped with the skills needed to thrive in their chosen fields.
Our training Centre offers a comprehensive range of benefits to its trainees, including small loans as start-up capital for the establishment of their own small businesses, free tuition for the first batch of students, free access to training equipment and coaching on the design of business plans and small grants project proposals;
It should be noted that the opening of the Livelihood Opportunity Training Center in Bangem is a beacon of hope for many individuals seeking to unlock their potentials and improve their livelihoods.
With its commitment to providing high-quality training and support, CAD is paving the way for a brighter future for those who need it most. Registration at the training centre is on a rolling basis, the authorities of the institution say.
Practical training session.
modern equipment at the centre to serve the Bangem community.
