ECOWAS concludes 2024 Specialized Trainings for Interpreters and Translators

The ECOWAS Commission has successfully concluded its 2024 Specialised Trainings for Interpreters and Translators (STIT), a three-day capacity-building program aimed at enhancing communication skills among multilingual youth from its member states.

The event, held from November 4-6, 2024, focused on empowering young interpreters and translators, preparing them for careers in the translation and interpretation fields.

The training, organized by the Directorate of Conference and Protocol, aimed to build practical language skills among youth from ECOWAS countries. The program included hands-on training in interpreting and translation, exposure to real-life meetings, and public speaking guidance to enhance professional profiles.

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In addition, trainees were given the opportunity to shadow experienced professionals, further developing their skills.

“The Specialised Trainings for Interpreters and Translators (STIT) is part of youth empowerment and ECOWAS’ commitment towards regional integration and employment generation.

There are so many potentials in the West African youth, but there are no clear pathways for career progression. We have a role as ECOWAS to ensure that youths can make use of their potentials,” said Mrs. Olukemi Robinson-Atabuh, Director of the Directorate of Conference and Protocol, in her closing remarks.

The training program also provided opportunities for continued development, with three possible career paths for participants: working with ECOWAS as freelance professionals, continuing formal training with financial support from ECOWAS, or serving as language interns within the Directorate of Conference and Protocol.

Looking to the future, Mrs. Robinson-Atabuh shared that ECOWAS is already planning to offer scholarships for young West Africans in collaboration with the Education Directorate, supporting the growth of future leaders within the organization. In recognition of their successful completion, four trainees were awarded certificates at the end of the program.

Throughout 2024, the training sessions, which ran from March to November, saw tangible success. Two trainees have already enrolled in university degree courses, while one is on the ECOWAS roster of Language Service Providers (LSPs). Additionally, two trainees are being mentored for career progression and upskilling within the ECOWAS Commission.