Senegal Inaugurates Two Vocational Training Centres Delivered by Mitrelli
The new centres in Diourbel and Linguère will provide modern training facilities, with a combined planned annual capacity of approximately 2,700 learners.
The Government of Senegal has inaugurated two new vocational training centres in Diourbel and Linguère. Delivered by Mitrelli, the facilities form part of the country’s national programme to expand access to practical and employment-focused education.
The Ministry of Employment and Vocational and Technical Training led the initiative. Both centres feature classrooms, laboratories, technical workshops and specialised learning facilities. They will support training in agriculture, livestock, textiles, industry, energy, solar technologies, maintenance and information and communication technologies.
The inauguration ceremonies were attended by His Excellency Idrissa Samb, Minister for Employment and Vocational and Technical Training, along with deputy governors, the prefect, the sub-prefect, mayors, institutional and religious representatives. Abdoul Hien, Country General Manager of Mitrelli for Côte d’Ivoire and Senegal, also attended.
“Learning a trade is a choice for excellence; mastering a skill is giving yourself the means to succeed!” declared His Excellency Idrissa Samb, Minister for Employment and Vocational and Technical Training.
During the Diourbel ceremony, the minister also said: “The Senegal of tomorrow will not be built on speeches and ambitions alone. It will be built on skills, trades, expertise and well-trained men and women. And that Senegal begins here in Diourbel with you.”
Diourbel Centre to Train Around 1,680 Learners Annually
Located in the commune and department of Diourbel, the Diourbel Vocational Training Centre is a Type B facility. It covers a 1.3-hectare site and has approximately 2,869 square metres of built infrastructure.
The centre has a planned annual capacity of around 1,680 learners. It will accommodate two cohorts of 840 students each. Training programmes will cover agriculture and livestock, textiles and industry, and information and communication technologies.
Its facilities include nine classrooms with 32 seats each and two ICT classrooms with 24 seats each. In addition, the centre has two laboratories, seven workshops and five rooms for specialised training.
The centre also provides facilities for practical agricultural and livestock training. These include specialised livestock housing, greenhouses and an open-field cropping area.
Linguère Centre Focuses on Energy and Technical Skills
The Linguère Vocational Training Centre is located in the commune of Ouarkhokh, in the department of Linguère, Louga region. It is a Type A facility developed on a 7,000-square-metre site, with approximately 2,055 square metres of built infrastructure.
The centre has a planned annual capacity of around 960 learners across two cohorts of 480 students. Its training programmes will focus on energy and solar energy, maintenance, and information and communication technologies.
The facility includes five classrooms with 32 seats each and one ICT classroom with 24 seats. It also features two laboratories, seven workshops and an additional room for specialised training.
Both centres have administration buildings, landscaped and open spaces, multisport fields, shops, visitor accommodation and student common areas. They also include generators and water-storage facilities to support daily operations.
Strengthening Senegal’s Vocational Training Network
The wider government programme aims to train at least 30,000 young adults and students every year through modern technical and vocational training centres. It seeks to align education with labour market needs and improve access to employment opportunities.
By combining classroom education with hands-on training, the programme aims to equip young people with relevant technical skills. It also seeks to support local economies through a stronger skilled workforce.
The facilities have been handed over to the Ministry of Employment, Vocational Training and Technical Education. They are ready to support training activities. However, the relevant government authorities will announce the first learner intake dates.
Abdoul Hien, Mitrelli’s Country General Manager for Côte d’Ivoire and Senegal, said, “The inauguration of the Diourbel and Linguère centers reflects Senegal’s vision to expand access to practical skills and bring modern vocational training closer to communities,” said Abdoul Hien, Mitrelli’s Country General Manager for Côte d’Ivoire and Senegal. “These centers connect classroom learning with hands-on experience, equipping young people with skills relevant to their future and local economies. They also reflect Mitrelli’s broader commitment to working with governments across Africa to strengthen education and create pathways to employment. We are proud to support the Government of Senegal in advancing this important national priority.”
The two centres form part of Senegal’s wider efforts to strengthen technical and vocational education. They will also help develop training environments that support the country’s national development priorities.
