Re-Structuring Yemen’s Vocational Training 600% Growth in 1998! [Archives:1998/44/Front Page]
There is good news coming from the Ministry of Labor and Vocational Training. Some real work is being done to promote technical skills among the future labor force of the country.
“Until last year, the annual in-take of new trainees in all technical and vocational institutes and centers in the Republic was about 1,600 young men and women. This year, we have taken in some 10,000 persons in various programs, including short-term intensive courses,” explains Mr. Mohammed Al-Tayyib, the Minister. Visibly happy with the achievement, Al-Tayyib said the projected in-take for next year will be even more.
The total number of Yemenis who graduate from basic education schools (grade 9) who are eligible to enroll in vocational and technical schools is around 400,000 boys and girls. Of these, the majority (71%) continue with regular education (high schools). Another 27% quit education altogether and proceed to the labor market or become housewives. It is only around 3% who consider going-on to technical and vocational institutes. In the past, many were refused, given lack of space and facilities.
“I have mounted an extensive campaign to secure external funding. We now have assistance from the World Bank, the European Union, Germany and other sources for our programs. There is no scarcity of funds if you have good programs and you know what you want,” the minister explained. Indeed, a total of US$ 60 million is readily available for this sector to be dispensed over the next three years. “Donors see that manpower development is a key factor for the nation’s future growth and well-being.”
That is why and how the ministry is able to establish many more centers and institutes in various parts of the country. “We have a nationwide plan, and we are implementing it, based on needs and market demand,” he added.
The ministry has just sent to the Cabinet (Government) its national master plan for technical and vocational training. It is expected to be easily approved in next week’s session.
“We are not pushing quantitative growth only. We have also re-structured our approach, curricula and training methods. For example, we have reduced the course load for religious and similar courses, because the students are supposed to have taken the necessary dose in those fields at earlier levels. We put more emphasis on the hard sciences. We have also reduced the time allocated for lectures, and increased the hands-on training component.”
Qualitative re-direction of the programs also meant pushing skills based on market requirements. “Our objective is to produce people with immediately employable skills.”Finally the new approach calls for partnership with the private sector. “We have regular consultations with businessmen.”
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