The Industrial Training Council (ITC), affiliated to the Ministry of Industry and Foreign Trade, in collaboration with British Council Egypt and the Arab Academy for Science, Technology and Maritime Transport launch the “Modern Apprenticeship Programme”. The programme comes to support the State's efforts to scale up technical and vocational training in Egypt through ITC which oversees all the Ministry of Industry’s programmes and activities related to technical and vocational training, and as part of the ITC’s support for the government's programme to address unemployment and provide decent jobs for youth.
The “Modern Apprenticeship Programme” aims at motivating employers’ involvement in the implementation of the State’s plans to address unemployment by providing on-the-job training, in the "factories", for job seekers and those who unfortunately did not acquire the required skills and experience so far. Apprentices receive an international professional certification with the support of the British Council in accordance with the National Skills Standards.
During the pilot phase of the programme, a leading private industrial corporation in manufacturing and maintenance of household appliances that have advanced on-the-job training capabilities was selected. Furthermore 15 fresh graduates were randomly selected to receive the training in the company’s maintenance centre in Al Obour Industrial City, Cairo.
The training was implemented in accordance with the National Skills Standards and the ITC Egyptian Professional Qualifications accredited by the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA). The training included two parts: one part provides theoretical knowledge and life skills and the other offers practical skills where 1-2 days of the training took place at the training institute, while 3-4 days at the workplace weekly for four months.
The Industrial Training Council covers the costs of the 4-month training through contracting the Technical and Vocational Institute in the Arab Academy for Science, Technology and Maritime Transport, which is the only accredited local entity to implement the training according to the National Skills Standards as well as providing international certification accredited by the Scottish Qualifications Authority. The practical part of the training was carried out under the supervision of the trainers in the institute within the industrial company's factories. The company pays a monthly wage to the trainees throughout the training. The British Council through its “Skills for Employability (SFE) programme” provides the required accreditation for the training programme including internationally approved professional certification from SQA.
The Modern Apprenticeship programme is one of the most successful means to attract job-seekers and ensure their commitment to complete the training which is guaranteed by the financial and technical incentives offered to them. The programme is the fruit of a successful partnership between the Egyptian government, the British Council, the private sector and civil society organizations, attempting to provide a world-class trained labour-force for the Egyptian industrial sector. It is worth mentioning that the Industrial Training Council seeks to encourage, build on and expand such partnership during the current fiscal year.
For more information:
Rose marie Gad, Communication Manager, British Council Egypt
T: +2 (0)2 3344 3076