By Sabri Dibaco
Hope and optimism filled the atmosphere in Bentiu as the Bentiu Vocational Training Centre was officially handed over to the Unity State Ministry of Labour in a ceremony attended by senior national and state officials, development partners, and youth representatives.
In a press statement from the Unity State minister of health’s office, the event marked a milestone in efforts to empower young people in Unity State through practical and technical education aimed at rebuilding livelihoods and strengthening communities after years of hardship.
“Ambassador Pelle Enarsson encouraged youth of Unity State to take advantage of these opportunities provided by the centre, describing vocational training as essential for economic growth and long-term stability,” the statement partly read.
Furthermore, Enarsson emphasised that skilled workers such as welders, electricians, mechanics, carpenters, and technicians are the foundation of every strong and developing nation.
“Without technical skills, there can be no infrastructure, no industries, and no sustainable development,” she noted while urging young people to step forward, enroll in training programs, and use their skills to transform their communities.
According to the press unit, Deputy Governor Gatjang Gieng reaffirmed the Unity State government’s commitment to supporting the centre and expanding vocational education beyond Bentiu Town, stressing that if Unity State is serious about recovery and development, technical and vocational training must reach all counties across the state and eventually extend to neighboring states.
Gieng also called on young people to actively participate in the programs, saying the skills acquired would help rebuild both Unity State and the nation at large.
The statement also underscored that the handover ceremony brought together the National Ministry of Labour, the Unity State Government, and development partners under a shared vision of creating sustainable opportunities for young people through skills development and self-reliance.
However, the National Minister of Labour, Antony Lino Makana, described the Bentiu Vocational Training Centre as more than just a learning institution, saying it represents a pathway toward dignity, employment, and economic empowerment for thousands of youths.
The press unit also stated that the participants toured the workshops and classrooms, adding that many expressed optimism that the centre would help young people shift from dependency to productivity by equipping them with practical skills needed in the labour market.
The initiative is expected to play a major role in supporting peacebuilding, reducing unemployment, and strengthening local capacity in Unity State as South Sudan continues its broader recovery and development efforts.