ITC graduation ceremony-214 new workers for technical industry |28 February 2005

The manpower in the construction and engineering sectors of the economy is to be further strengthened now that 214 students have graduated after completing a one-year competency-based training at the Industrial Training Centre (ITC).

Last Thursday’s (February 24) graduation ceremony held at the Seychelles Polytechnic Theatre Hall at Anse Royale was marked by the presentation of 12 awards to the Centre’s best and outstanding performers, which saw female student from Baie Ste Anne Praslin, Anna Charles, clinch last year’s Trainee of the Year award sponsored by the Minister for Education and Youth  Danny Faure.

Proud to have outdone the boys in a largely male-dominated institution, Anna, who completed her studies in Painting and Decorating in the Construction Programme Area, received her shield from Minister Faure.

She also received another award for outstanding student in her respective programme area, alongside Anthony Chow who won the same award for the Engineering Programme Area. Anthony was following a course in Motor Vehicle Mechanics.

Nine other best performer awards were presented to students who have excelled in their respective courses. They include Joel Robert from Motor Vehicle Mechanics, Ron Louys from Mechanical Engineering, Vincent Lablache from Electronics Servicing, Francis Moustache from Electrical Installation, Dominique Belle from Refrigeration and Air Conditioning, Nigel Laboudallon from Plumbing, Jean-Paul Cadeau from Painting and Decorating, Jerry Azemia from Masonry and Christian Antoine from Carpentary and Joinery. 

The graduates collected their certificates and awards from the principal secretaries of Education and Human Resources Development Mrs Macsuzy Mondon and Youth Mr Alain Volcere, from other officials from the ministry and various sponsors.

In his speech to mark the occasion, Mr Jean Rassool, the acting director of ITC, said the Centre had over the past six years of its existence received the highest intake of students compared to other post secondary institutions and despite difficulties, provided quality competency-based training and had at the end of each year injected new technical skills and knowledge in the construction and engineering sectors.

He commended the students for having done well in their training, pointing out that the majority of those who have graduated at the Centre over the past years, have successfully secured employment through contacts made when they were on work attachment in the industry, while some have enrolled in technical diploma courses at the Seychelles Polytechnic.  A few are still job hunting, he said, partly because they have been too selective in their choice of work place.

Pointing out that vocational training was costly, Mr Rassool said it was of paramount importance that ITC got the strongest support from the private sector if it was to further improve the quality of the training.

The new training facilities being built at Providence, he added, was proof that government was committed and attached importance to raising the level and occupational skills of its workforce.

Making reference to eight technical teachers currently pursuing degree courses in Bolton, UK and one in India, Mr Rassool said the government was also making considerable efforts to facilitate the development of the Centre’s staff. This, he said, was in line with government policy to equip the Centre with qualified local teaching staff over the next five years. 

Anna Charles, who was among the 16 girls who enrolled in the institution last year, said she was happy with her results and optimistic about the prospects in painting and decorating. She pointed out that though the field was largely dominated by men, there was always room for the female touch.

Majority of the girls who joined ITC took up the Painting and Decorating course with a few in Electronics Services.

Parents attending the ceremony were also given the chance to appreciate the Centre’s musical success through the popular four-member group Destination Crew, made up of last year’s ITC students.