Project Update - Training for the Disabled Youth in Hai Duong

The first phase of the vocational training course for disabled youth in Hai Duong province began on 12 March 2006 and was completed on 13 July 2006.

The first phase of the project saw the 8 March Employment Service Centre reach their goal of providing vocational training to 30 disabled and or orphaned children, some of whom had been affected by Agent Orange. Of the 30 participants 4 were male, 26 female, 28 disabled and 2 orphaned.

The education levels of the trainees were not high, with the highest qualification being attendance at high school. Their poor levels of education, combined with their disabilities, posed serious challenges for the trainees, some of whom are deaf or blind. APHEDA provided training of trainers courses to enhance the communication and vocational education capacities of the teachers of the courses. Aside from the difficult nature of teaching vocational education, these educators would also have to communicate in ways they were not used to.

Besides the provision of training in a specific vocational skill - such as gem stone cutting, embroidery, knitting, small motor repair - this project emphasised the link between the education and employment outcomes. The 8 March Centre set itself the target of between 70-80% of graduates obtaining proper jobs. Participants were grouped to ensure the most focused educational assistance could be given to each person's needs.

From the 30 trainees 11 were trained in industrial tailoring, 18 in embroidery and one in electronic repair. Each course lasted for four months. Each course included training in areas vital to obtaining employment after graduation:

• The trainees of the industrial tailoring course were skilled in sewing-machine use, able to complete all components of male and female garments and assemble these components and were qualified for working in the high quality suit production line of Hai Duong Garment Company II.
• Embroidery trainees were skilled in embroidering flowers, scenery, and producing for lines of high-value products, for example for Japanese and Korean traditional dresses (kimonos) for exporting to foreign companies.
• The electric and electronic repair course gave the trainee thorough understanding of electric and electronic theory so he was able to repair common electronic equipment, such as electric fans, water pumps, transformers, and many others.

The results of the final examinations of the participants were:

• 26 out of 30 trainees (including 4 who are deaf) took part in the theory examination. All who attended passed, while 77% received either a good or excellent mark, and
• all trainees attended and passed the practical exam, with 33% obtaining very good and excellent results.

One of the key areas of focus in the project is to ensure all trainees can gain successful incomes. About 85% of the trainees have stable occupations after the course. Nine graduates work for Hai Duong Garment Company II, eight do trained jobs in their communities (including electronic repair, embroidery and industrial tailoring) and 13 ex-trainees obtained jobs at the 8 March Employment Centre (including training future trainees, supervising training and income generation schemes for future projects).

The vocational training courses for disabled youth allow people opportunities to gain life-altering skills and provide outlets for untapped talents and abilities in the community. The successful implementation of the first phase of the project has led to families and individuals having access to income and support that was previously unavailable, while also challenging stereotypes and stigma in the community. Through APHEDA's assistance in this project the 8 March Employment Centre has begun to develop its ability to conduct these types of courses on their own so that they may continue to grow and develop into other parts of the country. This would allow for thousands of people disadvantaged through disability, discrimination and the continuing effects of Agent Orange a chance to change their lives and access possibilities previously not available.

© Union Aid Abroad - APHEDA 2003.

Last Modified: Wednesday, 21-Mar-2007 09:12:57 EST
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