By Ismaila Sonko
July 7, 2021
Vicky´s Hairdressing Salon and Skills Centre Friday held its 11th graduation ceremony at the Ebunjan Theatre in Kanifing.
Addressing the gathering, Francis Mansaray, guest speaker at the occasion, opined that the nation will not be developed if the people or family members are not developed.
He said the World is looking for someone that has acquired skills. “Because whatever anyone wants to do in this world, one has to have the skills to do that work for his or her sustainable development in his or her future,” he stressed.
Mansaray noted that the Centre was established to provide the essential skills for young people in The Gambia, to enable them become their own entrepreneurs and contribute their quota to nation building.
He advised the graduands to make the best use of the knowledge they gained during their 18-month intensive training at the Centre, for their own benefit and the betterment of the country.
Mansaray also advised parents to encourage their children to learn skills so that they can become responsible persons in the society, reminding them that not everyone will have the opportunity to work in the office.
Victoria G. Tamba, Proprietor of the Centre, said their mission is to improve the socio-economic status of youths and early school leavers by providing job-related skills in the cosmetology and hairdressing industry for self-sustainment and empowerment in developing basic skills to meet the demands of national development.
She revealed that the school was established in August 2008 to develop outstanding citizens of The Gambia in the cosmetology and hairdressing industry by providing professional skills in this field. “This gives graduating students immediate access to employment in salons across the country and possible employment at Vicky´s Salon,” she added.
She further revealed that they have graduated over 750 students since inception. She said their graduates are employed in both public and private businesses, with some operating their own businesses while others have been recruited as teachers in skill centres across the country.
Madam Tamba told the gathering that their major objective is to transform the centre into one of the best in The Gambia, adding that her institution has been compliant with quality assurance standards of NAQAA and as a result is a fully registered and accredited training provider in full compliance with the TVET policy.
Fatoumatta Badjie, one of the graduating students, commended the Centre for equipping young Gambians with skills. She also assured that the knowledge gained by the students will be put into the good use for the well-being of the society.
