The Ministry of Technical and Higher Education (MTHE), in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), has launched a series of regional consultations aimed at refining a new Industrial Plumbing Curriculum for Sierra Leone. The initiative, which began in the Eastern Region at the Kenema District Council Hall, seeks to align the curriculum with the Sierra Leone National Qualifications Framework (SL-NQF) from Levels 1 to 6.

The consultation brought together key players from government institutions, technical training centers, and private industry to review the draft curriculum, ensuring it meets both national and global standards.

Dr. Josephus Brimah, Chief Technical and Higher Education Officer, described the event as a major milestone in the country’s efforts to strengthen Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET). He emphasized that the Ministry has been driving reforms since 2018 to equip Sierra Leoneans with the skills needed to thrive in a modern, competitive economy.

According to Dr. Brimah, these reforms are central to the government’s Human Capital Development agenda, designed to prepare a workforce capable of meeting the evolving demands of local and international markets. He also acknowledged the Ministry’s ongoing collaboration with the National Council for Technical and Vocational Education (NCTVE) to improve accreditation, certification, and overall sustainability in the TVET sector.

Director of TVET, Abdul A.B. Senesie, explained that the national consultation process is essential to making the curriculum more responsive to industry realities. He said the review allows experts to fine-tune course content, teaching methods, and assessment strategies to ensure quality and relevance.

Education Officer Augustine Alie Esq. reaffirmed MTHE’s commitment to maintaining high standards in vocational training. He noted that a team of consultants and technical specialists developed the draft curriculum over the past three months, with the current consultations serving as a validation process.

Representing the Eastern Region, Mena A. Dumbuya, Administrative Officer for MTHE, thanked participants from institutions such as the Eastern Technical University, Ministry of Labour, SALWACO, and private plumbing firms. She stressed that collaboration between stakeholders is vital to building a strong and innovative technical education system.

Oladapo Coulson Olowu, Public Relations Officer for NCTVE, highlighted the importance of competency-based training in preparing students for real-world challenges. He called for continued cooperation to change public perceptions of technical education and promote its value as a key driver of national progress.

The session concluded with a presentation by Lead Consultant Ing. Alfred Abu, who gave an overview of the Sierra Leone National Qualifications Framework and the Competency-Based Education and Training model guiding the new curriculum’s design and implementation.

This initiative marks another step in Sierra Leone’s broader mission to create a skilled, job-ready workforce capable of contributing to sustainable national development.