Zgharta, May 22nd, 2017: The United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) inaugurated together with the Ministry of Industry the “Vocational Training Center on Carpentry” in Zgharta Official Technical Institute under the patronage of H.E. Dr. Hussein El Hajj Hassan, Minister of Industry, and with the presence H.E. Mr. Matahiro Yamaguchi, Ambassador of Japan to Lebanon.
In 2016, UNIDO in partnership with the Ministry of Industry started the project “Supporting the furniture sector in Northern Lebanon through upgrading and skills training”, funded by the Government of Japan.
The project aims at supporting enterprises through providing necessary equipment to enhance their competence, as well as developing the capacities of the carpenters through trainings on different topics of furniture production in order to expand their market access nationally and internationally.
The Vocational Training Center is a hub for knowledge exchange of furniture production; it is marked to be the first of its kind in North Lebanon.
In collaboration with the General Directorate of Vocational and Technical Education, UNIDO rehabilitated and upgraded this centre through providing latest woodworking machineries and developed several training programs focusing on different aspects of carpentry such as: Basic knowledge of industry’s raw material and machines, guidance in health and safety in carpentry manufacturing and application of new techniques and methodologies.
As a result, 100 carpenters and youth will benefit from this Center in the upcoming four months. An official certificate will be issued for the trainees upon completion of the training.
The inauguration started with the Ribbon Cutting, and was followed by a tour visit in the Vocational Training Center, showing the rehabilitation and the upgrade work.
H.E. Mr. Matahiro Yamaguchi, Ambassador of Japan to Lebanon stated that “The inauguration of the Carpentry Vocational Training Centre today is the step towards the future. And we hope this successful project will be the milestone that demonstrates another fruitful collaboration with UNIDO and the Ministry of Industry”.
“Today, we are setting a path for a long term contribution to create sustainable livelihoods, building capacities, and developing skills in the furniture sector”, declared Mr. Cristiano Pasini, UNIDO Representative. “This is essential for helping Lebanon in inclusive industrialisation. Throughout this center, we decided not to only provide technical assistance for carpenters, but to also build the capacity of youth, particularly young females, through a skills development program, which will enhance their employability prospects”.
Mr. Ahamd Diab, the Director General of Vocational & Technical Education, emphasized on the importance of Vocational and Technical Education ; the number of students exceeds 100 000 in more than 200 fields of specialty. The main problem remains in the lack of provision of technical equipment as well as the weakness in school guidance. Mr. Diab stressed on the need to add orientation and guidance sessions as part of the school programs and create incentives for students to join technical and vocational education whether by reducing the number of years of studies or through scholarships. Mr. Diab concluded by reminding us of the need and duty to accelerate the implementation of educational and development projects through join partnerships with the public and private institutions as well as non-governmental institutions in order to transform our society into a professional one.
Finally, H.E, Minister Hussein El Hajj Hassan thanked the Government of Japan UNIDO and for their contribution and expressed his support and encouragement to this event, adding that this initiative came at a time in which Lebanon was passing through critical circumstances on different levels, hoping that this project would really help carpenters in developing their skills and reaching out to new markets in order to promote their wonderful work and creations.