By James Innocent
A newly established vocational institute in Yei River County has been officially launched with the aim of equipping young people with practical skills to address rising unemployment in the area.
Speaking during the inauguration ceremony, Ludoru Moses one of the founders of Yei Training Institute said the institute was created to provide technical and vocational training that will help young people gain knowledge and become economically self-reliant.
“The purpose of this institute is to provide skills that can help tackle unemployment in our community,” Moses said. He called on residents of Yei to collaborate with the institution to ensure that a majority of youth in Yei River County benefit from the program.
Moses, however, acknowledged that limited resources remain a major challenge for many technical institutions in the region, which could affect operations if not addressed.
David Bidali Joseph, the principal of Yei Training Institute, said the institute was officially opened in the presence of religious leaders from various churches across the county, symbolizing broad community support.
“We are ready to begin operations. We have the potential to train young people in vocational skills that will create employment opportunities for them,” Bidali said.
He urged young people to avoid joining criminal or gang groups and instead focus on building skills that can enable them to become self-employed. Bidali also appealed to parents and guardians to enroll their children in vocational programs, warning that a lack of practical skills can expose youth to hardship and limited opportunities.
Earlier, the Youth Leader of Yei River County, Gaga Frank Osman, noted that unemployment and limited access to vocational training have contributed to some young people joining gang groups, negatively affecting the local employment sector.
Community members who attended the event expressed hope that the institute will expand access to skills training and contribute to economic growth in the county.