On October 31^st 2010, the second stage of the work force technical competency development project which is being financed by the Arab Fund for Economic and Social Development in Kuwait started at Hisham Hijjawi College of Technology in Nablus.

 

The second stage of the project consists of 36 specialized training courses which focus on developing technical and technological competency of both the work forces in the local Palestinian market and fresh graduates for the purpose of developing work quality and facilitate involvement in the work field. The two targeted groups, the work force and graduates, were identified during two workshops that were held on June 26^th and 28^th 2010. Attendees included representatives of several local institutions including chambers of commerce, industry and agriculture, local societies, representatives from the private sector, as well as members of several associations such as the Engineers Association and the Electricians Association.

 

The first stage of this project consisted of 21 training courses with around 2500 training hours. During that stage also, a number of scholarships were given to 38 students. The amount of scholarship was 750 Jordanian Dinars and was distributed among the beneficiaries after conducting a social and economic survey. Those students were involved in a comprehensive one-year training program which aimed to help them acquire new professional skills and experience that would transform them into qualified workers.

 

The number of beneficiaries in the first stage exceeded 600 while the second stage is expected to include more than 2000 participants who will take part in more than 300 training courses. Engineer Nidal Al-Dallal, Head of the Training and Operating Department at the Engineers Association-Al Quds Center, said that the project that Hijjawi College adopted has come to meet the developmental needs of the engineering sector in Palestine. He also valued the relationship and cooperation between the Association and the College and hoped that such cooperation would continue to produce more projects in the future.

 

Many students who participated in the project said that they have acquired new skills and improved their experience which they described as vital to their future career. Having their skills developed and their knowledge increased, those students will have a better chance to find a job in the future.

 

Dr. Ghassan Hilo, Dean of Hijjawi College, mentioned that the College started to implement the different activities of the project and that the various training courses are now going as planned to ensure quality outcomes.

 

Regarding the training courses, Dr. Hilo said that the College prepared several laboratories and workshops with whatever needed in order to carry out the training project. It also hired a number of professional and experienced trainers. Training is being supervised according to standards that ensure high quality outcomes.