Troops Teach Job Skills
By U.S. Army Spc. Tiffany Evans, 20th Public Affairs Detachment
The first semester of a new trade school started in November at the Qalat Provincial Reconstruction Team. Recently the team hosted a heavy equipment class, which ended up with several of the students getting jobs right after graduation, said U.S. Army Capt. Roberta Smith, public affairs representative, 492nd Civil Affairs Battalion.
“Following on the success of the class an idea to expand the program began to be tossed around,” said Smith. “Many of the servicemembers attached to the [team] are skilled craftsmen and licensed in the medical field.”
Nine classes were decided upon: welding, nursing, carpentry, electrical, rug weaving, auto repair, emergency medical technician training and driving, and a computer and English class, said U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Col. Andy Wilcox, team commander, 3rd Marine Division.
“The turnout for this first semester was great and we even had a few women signup, plus one computer and English class for girls,” said Wilcox. “We’re hoping that next semester the turnout will be just as good, and more women will sign up for our classes.”
Not only are the carpentry and welding classes learning a trade, their projects are being put into use, said U.S. Army Sgt. Hermilo Rodriquez Jr., carpentry instructor, 3rd Brigade, 141st Infantry Brigade.
“Our first project, which will be finished soon, is two buildings for the Afghan National Police to use as checkpoint buildings, so they’ll stay warm in winter and cool in summer,” said Rodriquez. “The second project is working on showers for the [team] which will allow the welding, carpentry, plumbing and electrical classes to work together and put their acquired skills to use.”
As soon as the first group of students graduates from their classes, the team plans on hiring a few of them to be instructors. Already the school has a few Afghan instructors in place including electrical instructor Sayed Mohammed.
“By supplying my fellow Afghans with a skill, we’re helping to give them a source of income which will keep them satisfied, and they’ll be less likely to fight against the coalition,” said Mohammed. “We are also equipping them with a trade skill that will be needed long after the coalition is gone, so that we can continue to rebuild Afghanistan.”
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