Sindhupalchok: Dorje Thami of Phulpingkatti in Sindhupalchok district dropped out of school in his secondary level. He was seen as a “useless young man.” But after taking a training of 45 days in metal and iron welding, he passed the CTEVT (Council for Technical Education and Vocational Training) exams and since then, unemployed Thami’s life has taken a totally new turn.

Using his skills he learnt during the training, he’s been working in Kathmandu in a company which is paying him Rs 20,000 a month. He says he has had opportunities to work for other people and earn more.

Rit Bahadur Pahari was going through a similar situation like that of Thami’s in Kalika Village of the same district. He was uneducated and loitered jobless in and around the village.

After taking a training of six months to learn how to repair motorbikes, his life has taken a turn for the better. Thanks to trainings provided by CTEVT, Pahari cleared his exams and he too is now earning more than Rs 20,000 a month.

Tuki Association Sunkoshi, which has been active in the field of education, has been providing small but helpful technical trainings to people like Thami and Pahari who have used their skills to promote themselves and earn a living. The youth of the village are more active now and their skills are coming handy.

They are earning in thousands and have jobs for support. With help from Save the Children, an organization which focuses on education, especially early childhood development and primary education as well as basic health, including maternal child health and HIV and AIDS prevention and care to help reduce poverty, the Tuki Association Sunkoshi started providing training of 45 days and six months to people since last year.

Out of the 59 youth who attended the training sessions last year, 28 of them already have jobs. Krishna Parajuli, Education Officer of the Association, informed that after passing the CTEVT exams and getting their certificates, the youth have been earning anything from Rs 10,000 to 20,000 and even more per month.

According to him, the Association has been providing trainings in plumbing, cooking, carpentering, masonry and motorcycle repairing.

The motorcycle repair training lasts for six months while all the other trade training last for 45 days each. This year, 126 people are attending the training program.

Under the Child Sensitive Security Program of Save the Children, Nepal, which is available in 15 villages, guardians of 18- to 30-year-olds can participate in the training programs. Also, guardians who quit studying, are welcome to the training programs, informed Program Chief of the Association, Hemant Dangal.

“After the trainings, we want the guardians to provide good education to their kids and that’s the main aim of the project,” said Dangal, adding, “And I think we’ve been successful so far and that our aim is being met.”

After the technical training program started, the guardians of young Dunuwars, Paharis, Thamis, Dalits and indigenous people living under the poverty line in Sachagol, Thulo Sirubari, Sipa Pokhari, Shikharpur, Phulpingkot, Shyaule, Golche, Kalika, Thokpra, Ghorthali, Phulpingkatti, Marming and Dhumthang have been benefiting.

Quitting school has been a big problem in these societies. After they attend the training program and pass the tests and get jobs, it is believed that from their earnings, children in the society can get better education and can complete their studies.

Women’s participation has been high in the cooking training program, and the Tuki Association Sunkoshi claims that compared to last year, more than 60 percent will get jobs this year alone.

source: republica,28 June 2012