By Aminata Kuyateh
The Ministry of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology (MoHERST), in partnership with the National Accreditation and Quality Assurance Authority (NAQAA), on Friday validated a draft National Apprenticeship Policy at the International Conference Centre.
The policy establishes a formal, quality-assured apprenticeship system to strengthen practical skills development, boost employability and align training with labour-market needs.
Speaking at the workshop, MoHERST Minister Prof. Pierre Gomez said the validation is a decisive step in reforming The Gambia’s Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) sector. He noted that, despite broader access to education, employers still report shortages of suitably skilled workers while graduates lack sufficient workplace experience.
“Apprenticeship will bridge this gap by pairing classroom instruction with supervised on-the-job training,” Prof. Gomez said. He added that although apprenticeships have long supported skills transfer—especially in the informal economy—their growth has been hampered by the lack of standardised training, nationally recognised qualifications, effective quality assurance and coordinated governance.
The draft policy introduces a competency-based system aligned with the Gambia National Qualifications Framework, MoHERST’s strategic plan and international best practice. It complements the National Internship Policy and sets out a governance framework, competency-based curricula, a dual training model, national assessment and certification, and quality assurance measures. The policy also provides for recognition of prior learning, apprentice protection, strengthened employer partnerships, sustainable financing and monitoring via the National Apprenticeship Management Information System (NAMIS).
NAQAA CEO Momodou Tarro described the validation as a key milestone toward a modern, structured apprenticeship system. He said the policy will regulate, coordinate and improve apprenticeship programmes to better meet labour-market demands.
Tarro highlighted the dual training model—combining classroom learning with supervised workplace experience—and stressed the policy’s emphasis on competency-based assessment, nationally recognised qualifications, quality assurance, apprentice welfare, employer engagement, and robust monitoring and evaluation.
He called for sustained collaboration among government, employers, industry, training institutions, regulators, development partners and civil society to roll out the policy. “Only coordinated action will expand access to quality skills training, raise employability, foster entrepreneurship and increase national productivity,” Tarro said.
Participants were urged to scrutinise the draft to ensure it reflects the needs of government, employers, training providers, apprentices and Gambian society before finalisation.