By Amin Kef-Ranger
The Government of Sierra Leone is gearing up for its highly anticipated 2nd National Youth Employment and Entrepreneurship Fair (NYEEF 23), and Sonoco Group has stepped in as the Double Gold Package Sponsor to propel President Bio’s vision for youth development.
President Julius Maada Bio expressed the fair’s significance, stating, “This fair not only connects young people to opportunities but also provides a platform for engaging all stakeholders about designing a cohesive, integrated, and sustainable job creation strategy.”
In its role as the headline sponsor, Sonoco, comprising Sonoco, ‘Salam’, Bread Avenue, and Bread Avenue Training Academy, is committed to actively supporting Sierra Leone’s economic development. Mark Pritchard, General Manager of Sonoco Sierra Leone, emphasized the company’s dedication, saying, “Through our partnership with NYEEF, we are determined to contribute to the well-being of Sierra Leone, addressing the essential needs of its population and investing in the training and mentoring of young talents.”
NYEEF 23, themed: “Creating Employment, Entrepreneurship, and Growth Opportunities for the Development of Future-Ready Youth,” will take place from November 13th to 16th, 2023, at the Freetown International Conference Centre.
Building on the success of NYEEF 22, this year’s event will focus on learning, skills development, networking, and career advice for job seekers and entrepreneurs. It aims to improve employability, enhance competencies, connect students and job seekers with potential employers and contribute to the development of the National Job Creation Strategy and the National Internship Framework.
Out of 1,354 registrants, 500 final year students, job seekers, and aspiring entrepreneurs have been selected to attend the four-day event. Over 50 employing organizations, recruiters, and tertiary institutions have registered to participate, offering opportunities for recruitment, skills development, and critical advice.
NYEEF is committed to inclusivity, with a focus on achieving a 50% female participation and at least a 100% increase in persons with disabilities compared to NYEEF 22. The planning committee considered factors such as women’s inclusion, persons with disabilities, job seekers with technical and vocational skills, and regional representation during the shortlisting process.
The event will feature exciting learning and networking activities, including sectoral conversations, Creative Lab events, agriculture-focused panel discussions, wellbeing panels, financing options for entrepreneurs, trade facilitation discussions, innovation pitches, women in business sessions, and a trade fair showcasing participants’ products and services.
As part of its commitment to creating 500,000 jobs for the youth in Sierra Leone, the Government will host a Job Creation Conference on November 14th, 2023. The conference, themed ‘Sustainable Job Creation: Everyone’s Business,’ will bring together stakeholders from the private and public sectors, NGOs, and development partners. It aims to highlight job creation opportunities, address private sector growth challenges, and recommend workable solutions.
Besides Sonoco Group as the headline sponsor, the event has garnered support from various partners and sponsors, including relevant government ministries, Africa Global Logistics, Africell, Ecobank, Leonoil, Leone Rock, Marampa Mines, NASSIT, NP, Orange, Pee Cee Holdings, Sierra Leone Commercial Bank, Sierra Rutile Limited, UBA, UNFPA, Afriqia HR Solutions, Creative Hub Africa, Easy Stem, Elba, Freetown ReunionInnohub Sierra Leone, JobSearch, SBTS, and Sigiay Group.
The general public is invited to participate, and the schedule of activities has been published through NYEEF Sierra Leone on Facebook and X.
