Woodwork trainers carve new notch in skill levels

Teachers from 11 provincial vocational education schools have gained new knowledge and skills following training in Vientiane from June 24 to August 30 under a Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) project.
The woodworking trainers (teachers) are now ready to pass on their new skills to improve vocational education in their home provinces.
Under Japanese expert Mr Koji Ishibashi, the teachers studied theory and practical woodworking activities such as the wood drying process, cabinetmaking and crafting chairs to high quality standards.
The training was carried out by the Vocational Education Development Institute and International Cooperation NGO (IV-Japan) as part of a US$200,000 JICA project from 2018-2021. This year was the second intake under the project to improve the skills of woodworking trainers.
The Vocational Education Development Institute held a certificate presentation ceremony for the trainers at its office last week.
Three woodworking trainers from Attapeu, Khammuan and Luang Namtha provinces were singled out for their outstanding skills and awarded furniture making tools by IV-Japan.
Director of the Vocational Education Development Institute, Dr Phouvieng Phoumilay, Project Manager of IV-Japan, Mr Katsuyuki Tazawa, JICA representative Ms Ami Goto, and teachers attended the ceremony.
Dr Phouvieng said the project was vital because there was a lack of woodworking trainers to develop the skills of provincial students.
He hoped that IV-Japan and JICA would continue to support the development of vocational education in other provinces after succeeding with this project.
JICA has previously worked with Lao authorities to improve vocational education, which is seen as an essential part of enhancing human resources and, in turn, boosting national socio-economic development.

By Sangkhomsay Bubphanouvong
(Latest Update September 2, 2019)