Senegal has inaugurated two modern vocational training centres in Diourbel and Linguère, expanding opportunities for young people to acquire practical, technical and industry-relevant skills needed to secure employment, start businesses and contribute to the country’s economic development.
The centres, delivered by Mitrelli in partnership with the Government of Senegal, are designed to bridge the gap between education and the labour market by combining classroom instruction with hands-on training in agriculture, livestock production, textiles, industrial skills, renewable energy, maintenance and information and communication technologies (ICT).
The facilities form part of Senegal’s broader strategy to strengthen technical and vocational education and training (TVET), with a national programme targeting at least 30,000 young adults and students annually through modern vocational training institutions.
Speaking during the inauguration ceremonies, Minister for Employment and Vocational and Technical Training Idrissa Samb said equipping young people with practical competencies was essential to building a productive workforce and driving national development.
“Learning a trade is a choice for excellence; mastering a skill is giving yourself the means to succeed!” Samb said.
He emphasised that Senegal’s economic transformation would depend on developing a skilled workforce capable of responding to the needs of different sectors of the economy.
“The Senegal of tomorrow will not be built on speeches and ambitions alone. It will be built on skills, trades, expertise and well-trained men and women. And that Senegal begins here in Diourbel with you,” he said.
The ceremonies were attended by government officials, deputy governors, prefects, sub-prefects, mayors, institutional and religious representatives, as well as Abdoul Hien, Mitrelli’s Country General Manager for Côte d’Ivoire and Senegal.
Expanding practical skills training in Diourbel
Located in the commune and department of Diourbel, the Diourbel Vocational Training Centre is expected to accommodate approximately 1,680 learners annually, divided into two cohorts of 840 students.
Developed on a 1.3-hectare site, the Type B facility has approximately 2,869 square metres of built infrastructure and will offer specialised training in agriculture and livestock, textiles and industry, and information and communication technologies.
Its facilities include nine classrooms with a capacity of 32 students each, two ICT classrooms accommodating 24 learners each, two laboratories and seven technical workshops.
The centre also features dedicated facilities for practical agricultural and livestock training, including specialised livestock housing, greenhouses and open-field crop production areas.
These facilities will enable trainees to complement theoretical instruction with practical experience in agricultural production, animal husbandry and other technical disciplines, strengthening their ability to apply acquired knowledge in workplaces and business ventures.
Linguère centre to develop energy and digital skills
The Linguère Vocational Training Centre, situated in the commune of Ouarkhokh in the department of Linguère, Louga region, will accommodate approximately 960 learners annually across two cohorts of 480 students.
The Type A facility occupies a 7,000-square-metre site, with approximately 2,055 square metres of built infrastructure.
Its training programmes will focus on energy and solar technologies, equipment maintenance and ICT, sectors considered important for expanding technical capacity and supporting economic activities.
The centre has five classrooms accommodating 32 learners each, an ICT classroom with a capacity of 24 students, two laboratories and seven technical workshops, alongside additional specialised learning facilities.
The focus on solar energy and maintenance is expected to provide learners with technical competencies applicable to renewable energy installations, equipment servicing and other emerging employment opportunities.
Both institutions have also been equipped with administrative buildings, student common areas, shops, sports facilities, generators and water-storage infrastructure to support their operations and create conducive learning environments.
Bridging the skills gap and employment opportunities
The inauguration comes as Senegal seeks to strengthen the link between vocational education, skills development and employment, particularly among young people entering the labour market.
By prioritising practical instruction in sectors such as agriculture, manufacturing, renewable energy and digital technology, the centres are expected to provide training pathways that respond to local economic needs while supporting entrepreneurship and self-employment.
The programme’s ambition to train at least 30,000 learners annually reflects the government’s efforts to make vocational education a central pillar of workforce development and economic transformation.
For young people, access to specialised workshops, laboratories and modern training facilities offers an opportunity to acquire marketable competencies rather than relying exclusively on academic qualifications.
Mitrelli said the two institutions were designed to bring modern vocational training closer to communities while connecting theoretical education with practical experience.
“The inauguration of the Diourbel and Linguère centres reflects Senegal’s vision to expand access to practical skills and bring modern vocational training closer to communities,” said Hien.
“These centres connect classroom learning with hands-on experience, equipping young people with skills relevant to their future and local economies. They also reflect Mitrelli’s broader commitment to working with governments across Africa to strengthen education and create pathways to employment. We are proud to support the Government of Senegal in advancing this important national priority,” he added.
The facilities have been handed over to the Ministry of Employment, Vocational Training and Technical Education and are ready to support training activities. The government will communicate the dates for the first student intakes.
The two centres represent an investment in Senegal’s human capital, with their success expected to be measured not only by the number of learners enrolled but also by the practical competencies acquired, employment opportunities created and businesses established by graduates.
