Senegal Opens Two Vocational Training Centres Delivered by Mitrelli to Train 2,700 Learners Annually
Government partnership with Mitrelli introduces modern technical training facilities in Diourbel and Linguère, covering agriculture, textiles, energy, maintenance and digital technologies.
The Government of Senegal has inaugurated two vocational training centres in Diourbel and Linguère as part of its programme to expand access to practical, employment-oriented education. Delivered in partnership with Mitrelli, the facilities have a combined planned annual capacity of approximately 2,640 learners and will provide training across several sectors, including agriculture, livestock, textiles, industry, renewable energy and information and communication technologies.
Senegal Expands Technical and Vocational Training Infrastructure
The Government of Senegal, through the Ministry of Employment and Vocational and Technical Training, has inaugurated two new vocational training centres delivered by Mitrelli.
The inauguration ceremonies took place in the presence of His Excellency Idrissa Samb, Minister for Employment and Vocational and Technical Training, deputy governors, the prefect, the sub-prefect, mayors, institutional and religious representatives, and Abdoul Hien, Country General Manager of Mitrelli for Côte d’Ivoire and Senegal.
Addressing the gathering, Idrissa Samb said:
“Learning a trade is a choice for excellence; mastering a skill is giving yourself the means to succeed!”
During the ceremony in Diourbel, the minister added:
“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.”
The two centres combine classrooms, laboratories, technical workshops and specialised learning facilities to support practical education across multiple sectors.
Diourbel Centre to Accommodate 1,680 Learners Annually
Located in the commune and department of Diourbel, the Diourbel Vocational Training Center is a Type B facility developed on a 1.3-hectare site, with approximately 2,869 m² of built infrastructure.
The centre has a planned annual training capacity of approximately 1,680 learners, divided into two cohorts of 840 students.
Its training programmes cover three broad areas:
- Agriculture and livestock
- Textiles and industry
- Information and communication technologies
The educational infrastructure includes nine classrooms with 32 seats each, two ICT classrooms with 24 seats each, two laboratories, seven workshops and five additional rooms dedicated to specialised training streams.
Facilities for practical agricultural and livestock training include specialised livestock housing, greenhouses and an open-field cropping area.
Linguère Centre Focuses on Energy, Maintenance and Digital Skills
The Linguère Vocational Training Center is located in the commune of Ouarkhokh, in the department of Linguère and the Louga region.
Classified as a Type A centre, it has been developed on a 7,000 m² site, with approximately 2,055 m² of built infrastructure.
The centre has a planned annual capacity of approximately 960 learners across two cohorts of 480 students.
Its training programmes will focus on:
- Energy and solar energy
- Maintenance
- Information and communication technologies
The facility includes five classrooms with 32 seats each, one ICT classroom with 24 seats, two laboratories, seven workshops and an additional room dedicated to specialised training streams.
Facilities Designed to Support Practical Learning
Both vocational training centres include infrastructure to support educational activities and daily operations.
Their facilities comprise administration buildings, landscaped and open spaces, multisport fields, shops, visitor accommodation, student common areas, generators and water-storage facilities.
The centres are designed to connect classroom-based instruction with practical training, allowing learners to develop technical skills relevant to different employment sectors.
National Programme Targets 30,000 Learners Annually
The two centres form part of a broader Senegalese government programme aimed at training at least 30,000 young adults and students annually through modern technical and vocational training centres.
The initiative seeks to align vocational education with labour market requirements, strengthen employment opportunities and support the development of local economies.
The facilities have been handed over to the Ministry of Employment, Vocational Training and Technical Education and are ready to support training activities. The dates for the first learner intake will be announced by the relevant government authorities.
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 centres are part of the government's wider efforts to strengthen technical and vocational education and develop training infrastructure aligned with Senegal's national development priorities.