Vocational Training Way Out For Vision 2035

By Ignatius Nji

                                Interior Design Workshop CATE Bali

The much propagated vision 2035 expected for Cameroonians to witness emergence can only be realistic when  proper measures are put in place to ensure the expected out come. One of such measures is to encourage vocational training among the youth. In the City of Bamenda trade centers have been transformed in to vocational institutes in line with government determination to encourage professional skills in formal institutes. Most of these vocational training centers found in Bamenda do offer mostly mono courses such as upholstery, motor mechanics, fashion designers, hair dressing saloon etc.

Speaking to Pressmen on Thursday June 25 during an open door day for holiday makers at the center on Savana Street Bali, the liaison officer of the Community Action for Technical Excellence (CATE), Godlove Kobe elaborated on the need for a vocational training even for those who are already running their own little workshops. He revealed that with a library stocked to capacity with over 23000 books with audios, videos and high speed internet pool, this facility is opened to the public for research given that it contents books and machines in various fields. To him these people who could not be trained formally do have a problem with finishing of crafts that can meet international standards.  To sharpen skills he recommends that those already in the market should strive to acquire formal skills in their various fields of operation to add value to their products. With the very highly and sophisticated and equipped vocational institute located in Bali under the blessing of the ministry of employment and vocational training with an authorization to operate, Godlove Kobe holds that the community Action for Technical Excellence (CATE) has the capacity to train people in various domain using the latest hi-tech given that the equipments found at CATE are the latest state of the arts machines in the country today. As an architect in interior designs on wood, glass or iron, Godlove Kobe says he imported this latest technology from the USA having done woodwork and general education in Cameroon.

Talking on his objective, Godlove Kobe says by engaging in the training of professionals in technical fields he wants to join hands with other technicians to contribute to the development of the country and push forth the much cherished vision 2035. He reiterated that before leaving Cameroon for further training abroad he had observed that what the technicians need in the country is hi-tech equipments and knowhow to make maximum use of the natural resources that are abound. He called on the government to put in place enabling environment for such machines to available to stop many from going abroad. At CATE the courses offered for a period of two years are for trainees with ordinary and advance level and those with first school leaving would make an additional year: interior design, fashion design, carpentry and joiner, cabinet making/mill works, sheet metal construction, graphic arts and designing, secretarial duty, computer aided design, software training. The institute also has a library, internet services and a canteen. The center for now can only accommodate 50 trainees in one semester. The institute has been operating now for eight months though its conception was since 2002, the government is yet to make any financial assistance.