Vocational Training Program

Phnom Penh, Cambodia

Gift of Equipment

June 2009 was a month of rejoicing! The equipment from Australia was finally released after six months in ‘detention’ and the customs’ clearance turned out to be much less expensive than expected. Also, the long-awaited project agreement with the government was signed without the all-too-often bribe. (The staff, however, paid a high personal price, being subjected to insults and harassment.)

Several years ago, Chhaya, who now manages one of the Metal Fabrication workshops, went to Perth, Australia, for some professional development at Swan TAFE College. One of the teachers who took him under his wing was Martin McIntyre. He also took time out of his long-service leave to go to Cambodia and volunteer his services with Chhaya in the VTP. Then last year Martin kindly arranged for welding equipment to be sent from Swan TAFE to Phnom Penh. When it was held up, he lobbied government departments to intervene. Martin has not only been a supporter from Australia but has gone over twice to help train the apprentices in the training program. Well done.

Apprentices on the move

Having just returned last month from visiting the VTP, another supporter, Jim, was encouraged to see the progress being made towards localising the four workshops. Apprentices recruited from poor backgrounds are being trained in sewing, IT and metal trades and are being mentored as they work alongside the managers and other workers.

Could your skills help?

One of the challenges is to see the workshops becoming more profitable and the managers upgraded in their business skills. Maybe someone with business skills could volunteer their expertise in this area. We heard of a young man from Switzerland, Christoph, who is eager to come and ‘walk alongside’ the IT team. He seems to be a good ft: the right person to help establish a solid training program for the frst group of apprentices, expected to start in February.One of the challenges is to see the workshops becoming more proftable and the managers upgraded in their business skills.