BY: FATHIMATH LAUZA,
THIS February, Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL) will join the National Apprenticeship Program (NAP), which was formed in compliance with the President’s vows to give professional opportunities for youngsters.
The Ministry of Youth Sports and Community Empowerment and MACL signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to begin the program today at the Hulhumale’ Island Hotel. The MOU was signed on behalf of the Ministry and MACL by Hussain Ismail, Minister of State, and Ibrahim Thoha, Deputy Managing Director.
During his remarks during the occasion, Ibrahim Thoha, the Deputy Managing Director of MACL, stated that Velana International Airport is undergoing big development projects and that it is difficult to attract workers to keep up with the airport’s infrastructure and technical improvements. He did, however, say that launching the apprenticeship program will help with staff training and simplify MACL’s operations.
Hussain Ismail, Minister of State for Youth, claimed that despite the enormous number of opportunities available in the country, only a small proportion of brilliant kids are qualified for these occupations.
According to the state minister, the national apprenticeship program would provide training and job prospects to persons who have been excluded from the official schooling system for a variety of reasons. According to State Minister Hussain, this would result in a skilled workforce for several technical sectors of the labor market.
The apprenticeship program, which began today at MACL, will teach 225 people over a three-year period. A total of 75 persons will receive training and experience in 20 different areas during the first round. The six-month training program will be attended by 50 MACL staff and 25 adolescents chosen from among those who applied.
Those who successfully complete the program will get a National Qualifications Framework Level 3 certificate. The program is run jointly by the Ministries of Higher Education, Youth, Sports, and Community Empowerment, and the Maldives National Skill Development Authority in compliance with the authority’s national competency criteria.
The initiative intends to teach 3,000 youngsters as part of the government’s Strategic Action Plan, with the goal of imparting diverse skills and preparing them for the labour market.