KATHMANDU, Dec 16: A skills-based Training of Trainers program was held in the premises of Balaju School of Engineering and Technology in Kathmandu between November 28 and December 15, aiming to provide quality training to potential trainers. The program aims to train over 1,000 workers under Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) standards over the next 18 months.  

The program was conducted jointly by A K Snathe Skills Training LLC, a company that has been training workers and trainers in Dubai, Nepal Vocational Qualification System (NVQS) under Swisscontact, and Nepal Skill Testing Board. 

“We trained 13 personals from different construction companies of Kathmandu in the past 15 days on block masonry and shuttering carpentry, and there will be three practical training sessions in the next three days,” said Devi P Dahal, the team leader of NVQS, who further added: “These 13 trainers shall now train at least 1,000 more trainees in the next one and half years.”

 The training was conducted by British and Indian trainers. Colin Hughes, who shared his shutter carpentry skills among the trainees, told Republica: “I have personally seen the rise in confidence and skill levels among the trainees over the past 15 days. They have developed an ability to focus on minute details in construction work.” 

Hughes further added: “Following the training, these participants will be able to train others in the related field as well, while these workers will experience a surge in employment opportunities, they can also earn more due to their improved skills in their fields of work in both national and international arena.”   

While the trainees have experienced a boost in confidence level, they have also claimed to have learned the precautions and safety measures that should be taken into consideration. 
“While working in the field of construction, it is critical that we focus on health and security to prevent and minimize risk while working. We learned new techniques of work and also developed habits of manageable workplace,” said Keshab Rokaya, a trainee. 

“Also, normally, less attention is given to errors while working. Now we have learned that even slight inaccuracy can lead to disaster. We have also learned the measures to curtail these inaccuracies,” Rokaya added.     

The next three days of the program is set to emphasize on practical training, allowing them to assess the participants further and create lesson plans. The newly graduated trainers will be taking training sessions from next month. 

“After the training we are convinced that we can train new batches of construction workers and I individually aim to produce 10 to 20 trained personals every month,” added Rokaya, a resident of Mugu. 

 
• training
 
• trainers program
 
• balaju school of engineering and technology.