By Abdul Kamara

Ninety young graduates from Tonkolili, Moyamba, and the Western Rural District have been equipped with vital job readiness skills through the European Union-supported Youth Action for Good Governance and Self-Reliance (YAGGS) project.

The two-day training, organized by ActionAid Sierra Leone in collaboration with the Centre for Coordination of Youth Activities (CCYA), was designed to prepare graduates for the realities of the job market. The participants received practical guidance on CV writing, job applications, interview techniques, and career planning, all aimed at boosting their chances of securing employment after university.

At the close of the seminar, YAGGS Project Manager, Hezina Johnson, said the initiative reflects ActionAid’s commitment to tackling youth unemployment by empowering graduates with skills that go beyond classroom learning. “We are committed to imparting knowledge to these young minds for a competitive job market,” she said. “After attaining tertiary education, we believe one must be able to make themselves marketable.”

For many of the participants, the training was a turning point. Abass Kabba Jalloh, a graduate from Tonkolili, said it gave him clarity and confidence about how to present himself to potential employers. “This training widened my thoughts on CV development and gave me the confidence to apply for any job,” he noted. Mariatu Lacckor from Moyamba shared similar sentiments, adding that she now feels better prepared for interviews and is eager to share the knowledge with her peers.

Organizers explained that the training was not only about individual growth but also about creating ripple effects within communities, as the beneficiaries are encouraged to pass on what they have learned. They stressed that empowering young graduates to be self-reliant is crucial in addressing the high rates of unemployment and underemployment that continue to challenge Sierra Leone’s economy.

The YAGGS project, backed by the European Union, is part of broader efforts to promote youth empowerment, good governance, and economic independence. By combining employability training with civic engagement, the initiative is seen as a pathway for young people to become active contributors to national development.

As the training ended, participants called for more programmes of this kind to reach graduates across the country. For the 90 young people who took part, however, the experience has already provided a fresh sense of direction and confidence as they take their first steps into the job market.