In collaboration with the government and international agencies, FEDES initiated a Vocational Training School program (November 2002), whereby young people from underprivileged backgrounds and/or high-risk youth are taught trades. In addition to receiving an education scholarship and on-the-job training, students receive help with writing a resume, and applying for and getting a job in their field of training. These youth also receive their lunch and transportation as part of the program.
 In front of the Vocational Training School. |
 All students receive computer training. |
The FEDES Vocational Training facility presently trains up to 300 young people per semester and have plans to double this. Local social services work with us to determine individuals' eligibility for the program, some of the principle criteria being inability of the potential student's family to pay for his or her education, professional inclination of the candidate, desire of the potential students to study and to pursue a given profession in order to be able to support themselves and their family.
 Computer repair class. |
 Electrical engineering class. |
FEDES has developed over 30 vocational training courses, each of the curriculums certified by the ISO, nationally and internationally. Courses include various aspects of culinary arts and food processing technologies, local and international cooking, pasties and confectionaries, bartending and dining services, clothes tailoring and domestic design, nursing and elder care program, computer IT and networking, pre-school childcare, secretarial school, industrial cleaning, telemarketing and customer service; as well as carpentry and house building, furniture making, plumbing (both industrial and home) and electrical courses.
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 Bunkbed under construction. |
Basically each of the courses run in excess of three months of intensive skill training, two and a half months of which is the actual vocational training and then two weeks of working on developing personal skills such as proper dress, body hygiene, learning how to write a resume, public speaking and how to apply for a job, etc. At the end of skill training they also receive a two week computer course geared to their particular vocation. (For example, nurse’s aides learn the programs that they will need to chart a patient’s pharmaceutical needs, etc.)
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 Designed products that will be marketed and sold. |
Following the completion of the three month course, FEDES arranges for graduates to have an actual hands-on practice with companies (also working out arrangements so that the young people can be paid a small salary during this time) and/or qualifying fro further education to further their vocational desires. During this hands-on training period, FEDES administers government sponsored travel costs for the students and monitors all this. If the young person wishes to go on to further training at a University, FEDES has established contacts with various educational facilities so the student gets full credit for the training received while part of the FEDES course. Ultimately the goal is that the young people are then able to find employment. A minimum of 80% of them acquire immediate employment through the FEDES network of partners, including multinational companies and five-star hotels, etc.
 House frames being built in school workshop. |
 Student constructs housing unit. |
So in addition to acquiring a vocational skill, the training provided enables the students to acquire a proactive attitude and mindset. These young people receive character building courses and leadership training in people-handling skills, efficiency, time-management, team working, etc. as well as English-language skills. Since many of these young people lack basic training and thus the self-esteem necessary to present themselves, the curriculum includes a personal development course, with instruction on everything from personal hygiene, manners and etiquette to writing a resume.
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 Government and other partners viewing carpentry workshop in operation. |
 Workshop yard where lumber is regularly unloaded, frames completed and shipped. |
Towards the end of their vocational course, each student is given this personal skills and marketing training in order to prepare them for the job market and/or to be self-employed. In cooperation with local companies, we assist the young people find employment after completing their training. Possibilities for providing loans to start small businesses is yet another avenue that we anticipate developing.
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FEDES also hosts special Vocational Training courses for:
- HIV-positive individuals who are marginalized from employment
- Mentally handicapped individuals from poor backgrounds