Press Release - July 3, 2006

PRESS RELEASE

Training of electricians, masons, plumber in quake-hit areas.

The first batch of 70 tradesmen qualified Masonry, Electricity, welding, Plumbing and Carpentering certificate courses at the Construction Trade Training Centre (CTTC) Mansehra.

The training programme was organised by the Church World Service, Pakistan/Afghanistan (CWS-P/A) in collaboration with implementing partner Dosti Welfare Organization.

The plan aimed at capacity and skill building in the earthquake- hit area so that these tradesmen could help reconstruct the housing units on one hand and get more employment opportunities on the other.

According to CWS-P/A, the qualified tradesmen were conferred certificates at a ceremony, organised on the occasion. They were also provided with tool kit of their relevant vocation.

Currently, CWS-P/A and Dosti Welfare Organisation are working together to establish four Construction Trade Training Centres in earthquake-affected areas of NWFP. Two centres are already fully operational in Mansehra city and Bissian.

Sardar Mohammad Yousaf, the district Nazim Mansehra, while addressing the passing out students of the centre, said the capacity building and vovcational training was highly important for such devastated area.

Appreciating the efforts of CWS-P/A and Dosti Welfare Organisation in creating means of livelihood for the people of earthquake-affected areas, he said such efforts help the calamity-hit area to rehabilitate at an accelerated rate.

He hoped that the training in four main spheres of construction would go a long way in reconstruction efforts of government, NGOs and the local population. The proper training would help them reconstruct their houses in proper shape and design and would be more useful compared to reconstruction of housing units by untrained people by themselves.

Ends.