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Press Release
29 August 2008
Basra youths to get job-training
A
new scheme to get young people off the streets of war torn Basra and back into work
has been launched in Iraq.
The £250,000 pilot scheme backed by DFID will see up to 500 young people aged 16 to
30 start an employment training scheme in October.
The newly formed Basra Development Commission, co-chaired by British
international businessman Michael Wareing, is masterminding the project with 50
Basra employers.
This week
Mr Wareing visited the Iraqi training college where the scheme will run and met with youths learning new skills.
The scheme is designed to take young people out of unemployment and to give them
the chance to study at two vocational training
colleges supported by Basra employers from the private sector.
The Basra Development Commission's co-chairman Munadhil Abd Khangir said:
"In time it is expected that each of the three colleges will take between
3-4,000 work trainees a year or around 10,000 a year in total.
"There are an estimated 240,000 young people aged 16 to 30 in Basra and large
numbers are unemployed.
"Getting these young people into work is a priority which will also enhance
security in Basra province."
Mr Wareing, who was appointed by DFID to drive forward the economic development
of Basra, said:
"I was talking to some young men in the training college and they said their
course was really worthwhile.
"They were also confident that they would get jobs when they were qualified
which is really gratifying because they have spent years living on the streets
doing nothing."
The students will attend an initial inception programme that will prepare them
for entry to employment following initial training at the Vocational Technology
Training Centres. Afterwards students are offered extended work placements with
employers during which they will complete a training package delivered through a
combination of vocational colleges (VOTECH) modules and on the job workplace
based learning.
Businesses participating in the scheme will pay participants a training wage
while they learn working skills. Trainees will be able to achieve enhanced
qualifications, and earn money for a full 12 month programme, at the end of
which it is expected that many will find full time employment.
The scheme will be run through the VOTECHs in Basra by the Iraqi Ministry of
Labour and Social Affairs, working closely with the BDC Youth Unemployment Task
Force (YUTF) .
A key aspect of the new pilot programme in Basra will be an induction phase
modelled on the UK Business in the Community (BITC) programme called “ready for
work”. Experience in comparable projects in other countries has shown that a
suitable induction programme prior to entry to vocational training has a big
impact on the chances of a trainee gaining permanent employment at the end of
the scheme.
The initial finance of £250,000 for the project has been agreed in principle
with the UK Government using development funds.
In addition the Coalition Forces have also committed in excess of £1,500,000 for
the refurbishment of a third vocational college which is currently derelict in
the Al Hayania area of Basra.
For further information contact Matt Wells, DFID press office 0207 023 1840
e-mail m-wells@dfid.gov.uk