Construction center graduates 100 skilled workers to build Afghan economy

AFGHANISTAN

02.02.2010

Story by Capt. Tony Wickman 

Combined Joint Task Force - 82 PAO

KUNAR PROVINCE, Afghanistan — The Kunar Construction Center in the Shigal District held a graduation ceremony and job fair for 100 local Afghans trained in carpentry, masonry, painting, plumbing and electrical wiring, Jan. 31.

Ted Wittenberger, U.S. Agency for International Development representative for Kunar province, Fazlullah Wahidi, Kunar provincial governor, most of the Kunar District sub-governors, area tribal elders and the Kunar Provincial Reconstruction Team members attended the graduation.

In his remarks to the crowd, Wittenberger said that since the opening of KCC, nearly 700 young men have graduated and found work in the construction trade in Kunar, Nuristan and Laghman provinces.

"All of them are making significant contributions to the development of their country," said Wittenberger. "Since Pashtun culture is based on family ties, clans and villages, they're also making contributions to the betterment of their families. Now you will enter the economy and become part of the workforce. You will produce roads, bridges, schools and clinics. You'll add to the development of your country."

Abdul Muktar, the KCC manager, explained how hard the staff worked hard to train the students to become skilled professionals, over the course of three months.

"The total is 100 students graduating today; they who were trained by 10 professional teachers," Muktar said. "Now they are able to use their skills and provide services to their nation. I thank all the teachers for their hard work with the students."

Since its opening in March 2008, with the help of USAID and the Kunar PRT, the KCC has helped create jobs and build a skilled work force for one of the fastest growing economies in Kunar, the construction industry.

More than 90 percent of the 700 students have graduated in one of the traits offered, a significant accomplishment for any institution priding itself on its graduation rates.

Wahidi illustrated the growth of the construction industry and skilled workers in Afghanistan by telling a short story about a recent drive to Jalalabad, where he met a bridge bridge worker.

"A couple of weeks ago, there was a project and I asked a young man where he was from and he said he was from Kunar. I asked him what he was doing and he said he was doing masonry. I asked him where he learned that and he said in Shigal at the KCC," Wahidi said. "I became very proud."

Wahidi challenged the students to use their skills to rebuild their country by seeking honest employment.

U.S. Navy Cmdr. Leonard Remias, Kunar PRT commander, said all the international partners are committed to improving this war-torn country.

"The international community and coalition forces are helping the Afghan community with heartfelt generosity to construct schools, clinics, roads, bridges and district centers," Remias said. "We want to see Afghanistan stand on its own feet. We want to eliminate the fighting and bring peace and prosperity to Afghanistan. Go out and use what you have learned to make Kunar and Afghanistan better than it has ever been before."

Once the speeches concluded, the graduates lined up and received their diplomas, as well as gifts of tool kits and radios.

The top graduate in the carpentry class summed up the hope for all in attendance when he received his graduation diploma and shouted, "I want to rebuild my country!"

After the graduation ceremony, the KCC held a job fair with local construction contractors looking to hire people. Contractors requested a number of graduates from each group of study and hired them immediately.

The KCC is a joint effort between the provincial and local governments, elders of the community, USAID and the Kunar PRT. The government and the local community donated the land, the PRT provided the buildings and testing laboratory, and USAID provided the program with trainers, materials and equipment, internet connection and funding for the operation.

• Date Taken: 02.02.2010
• Date Posted: 02.02.2010 07:38
• Story ID: 44784
• Location: AF