The Minister of Technical and Higher Education, Dr. Haja Ramatulai Wurie, has highlighted a series of reforms aimed at modernising skills development and expanding digital access in the higher education sector during the Salone Civic Festival.

She underscored growing collaboration with private sector partners to refresh curricula, strengthen accreditation systems, and ensure that training programmes reflect real market needs. Dr. Wurie also pointed to the newly established Japanese-supported Centre of Excellence for Automotive Training, noting that the Ministry is deliberately creating space for more women to enter trades traditionally dominated by men.

She further revealed that, with support from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the Ministry has certified 100 young people in Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) as well as Building and Construction. In addition, the Ministry and UNDP have completed the validation of a Competency-Based Industrial Plumbing Curriculum (Levels 1–6) following extensive regional consultations and stakeholder engagement.

On expanding digital access, Dr. Wurie announced the rollout of Starlink internet across higher education institutions, alongside broader efforts to strengthen connectivity in both technical and higher education facilities nationwide.