Training Centre Profile: CTC-Salele Article by Sarah Francis, Photos by Fonseca Julio & Sarah Francis Claret Training Centre in Salele (CTC-Salele), Cova Lima, was established by the Claretian Mission in 2005 to provide skills development to youth without access to formal education. You could say we had facilities though they weren't sufficient, but we used our creativity to offer training in carpentry and electrical for youth, explains Mr. Domingos Maria Jose, Director of Programs & Training. In 2013 CTC-Salele was selected as one of five training centres in Timor-Leste to receive significant upgrades through the Mid-Level Skills Training Project (MLSTP) to offer accredited mid-level technical training. With support from the Asian Development Bank ($12 million) and the Government of Timor-Leste ($1 million), competency-based level III construction and automotive training is being offered for the first time in Timor-Leste. From its humble beginnings, with basic training run for 30 students from a grass-roofed hut, CTC- Salele now offers accredited levels I and II training to 75 students in five areas of construction; masonry, plumbing, electrical, carpentry and metal fabrication and welding. With a total investment of about $440,000, CTC-Salele received carpentry, masonry, welding and plumbing facilities upgrades, rehabilitated two existing electrical workshops, a theoretical classroom and a student dormitory, and has received training equipment for construction levels I and II. The project has also employed two extra trainers and supported Mr. Jose to complete a Diploma 2 in Civil Engineering. The training centre s transformation has not only been physical. It has also translated into its management showing initiative by introducing innovative new programs, such as students building houses for local vulnerable people as part of their final assessment. Staff are actively seeking out professional development opportunities, with two assistant teachers even enrolling as students themselves at CTC-Salele to undergo levels I and II construction training. There has also been a huge shift in the surrounding communities attitudes towards professional training. When the project first started, the priests from Salele, the Claretians, the teachers, all had to drive a truck around rural areas to recruit new students, says Mr. Antonio Benevides, the Team Leader of the MLSTP. Now that s no longer the case, young people bring their CVs and documents to register. Up to 400 people go and register. And despite its remoteness, CTC-Salele s dormitory makes it an attractive option for students from all over the country. Today there are many students who come from Same, Ainaro, Aileu, Ermera, Cova Lima itself, Bobonaro, and some from Viqueque and Dili, says Mr. Jose. Graduates are also gaining employment all around Timor-Leste, including 15 who are assisting in constructing the airport in Suai itself. Four groups of graduates are also being supported by the MLSTP to start their own businesses in carpentry and metal fabrication and welding. The training centre has opened three production units which also offer work experience and employment opportunities to CTC-Salele s students, and an income for the training centre. A carpentry production unit employing female graduates produced 50 chairs and 50 tables, which raised $1,000. A metal fabrication and welding production unit produced window trellises and raised $2,345. A masonry production unit sells blocks to the community and uses them as part of the training. Mr. Jose next plans to develop CTC-Salele s hospitality training, and also offer agriculture training. I want Timorese youth to understand the concept of training in training centres, he says. The training centre s course is only short (one year), but it can have a big impact. It provides people from lower income families with the opportunity to undertake further education, so that they can quickly gain experience and abilities, create self-employment or work in companies.
CTC-Salele s training facility prior to receiving support from the Mid-Level Skills Training Project Trainers, students and the surrounding community are thrilled with CTC-Salele s upgraded facilities
Up to 400 young people apply for one of CTC-Salele s 75 places for construction training A house built by CTC-Salele s students for vulnerable community members
Training Centre Profile: Don Bosco-Comoro Article by Sarah Francis, Photos by Fonseca Julio & Sarah Francis Don Bosco-Comoro training centre was founded by the Salesians during Indonesian times in 1991, to provide skills development opportunities to disengaged and unemployed youth. It is arguably the most reputable training organisation in the nation, with 800 people applying annually for one of its 200 places. Don Bosco-Comoro offers courses in administration, construction and Timor-Leste s only accredited automotive training in light vehicles. However, provision of quality technical training in construction and automotive requires significant investments in training facilities, up-to-date technologies and equipment. For this reason, in 2012 the Asian Development Bank (ADB) joined together with the Government of Timor-Leste to implement the Mid-Level Skills Training Project (MLSTP), in which five training centres are being upgraded to deliver mid-level construction and automotive training, including Don Bosco-Comoro. Initially it was difficult because the facilities were limited, explains Father João da Costa Boavida, Student Principal of Don Bosco-Comoro. But with the help of ADB we could make a school, training workshops for youth, and we can now see that we have a good place for training. More than $1 million was invested in facilities and equipment upgrades at Don Bosco-Comoro. Training equipment was provided for construction and automotive levels I-III. Also a plumbing workshop, two metal fabrication and welding workshops and a masonry workshop teachers office were rehabilitated. It now has the capacity to train 75 construction and 40 automotive students. The most significant upgrade at the training centre was an impressive new automotive training facility, which doubles as an automotive workshop. Students practice their skills on training equipment and learn from the experienced workshop mechanics. The training centre makes an income from fixing vehicles in the workshop, provides on-the-job training placements to students, and offers employment to graduates. The MLSTP also supported high-tech equipment for a metal fabrication and welding production unit, which provides an extra income source for the training centre from metal products made by the students, such as chairs and benches, barbecues, bedframes, safes and decorative flowerpot holders. Teachers received specialised training in use and maintenance of the equipment from the State Polytechnic of Malang, Indonesia (POLINEMA). To upgrade the teachers skills and knowledge, POLINEMA also delivered Diploma 2 training to 47 construction teachers, including Don Bosco-Comoro s. Automotive teachers received technical training and undertook on-the-job training. Teachers also received pedagogical training, including completing Certificate III in Training & Assessment. This support is very important in developing this training centre, says Father Boavida, Particularly because of the teachers creating rules for the classroom, lesson plans, we can say that this training has professionalised the teachers. Success of graduates is like this, he continues. Now some are working at companies, some with ADB s help are undertaking job placements, and some are starting small businesses... Some are working at construction companies, and some graduates are continuing their studies. To open a training centre such as Don Bosco isn't easy, running costs are very expensive, because the materials in Timor are very expensive, says Father Boavida. But with the help of the ADB, with the help of SEPFOPE, we ve succeeded in this endeavour. We hope that in the future we can work together for the betterment of this country and its youth.
The automotive facility prior to ADB s support Don Bosco-Comoro s impressive new automotive facility offers levels I-III training
Automotive students learn on the job in Don Bosco s automotive workshop Welding students practice their skills by producing goods that earn an income for the training centre
Training Centre Profile: Tibar Training Centre Article by Sarah Francis, Photos by Fonseca Julio & Sarah Francis Tibar Training Centre was established in 2002 with assistance from the Portuguese government, with the objective of equipping young people to rebuild Timor-Leste. In 2007 it became a public training institute under decree law, and has since been managed by Timorese staff with the assistance of international volunteers. The centre offers courses in construction, hospitality and agriculture. It can receive up to 400 students annually, with around 3,300 students having been trained since it was founded. In 2013 Tibar Training Centre was selected for assistance under the Mid-Level Skills Training Project (MLSTP), a five-year undertaking in which mid-levels skills training in construction and mechanics is being piloted in Timor-Leste. With a $12 million grant from the Asian Development Bank and a $1 million contribution from the Timorese government, significant investments have been made in the nation s five accredited construction and automotive training centres. Spending on new facilities and equipment at Tibar Training Centre alone was just shy of $2 million. The centre received a metal fabrication and welding workshop, construction training equipment for levels I-III and other facilities upgrades. One is the dormitory, explains the Director of Tibar Training Centre, Mr. Simão Barreto, Which can accommodate about 100 people; 20 teachers and 80 students. This will help students with disabilities or who live in remote areas with the opportunity to come here in order to participate in training that helps with projects in their villages and districts. Besides this we also received a bus to transport people to and from home who live near the centre. Tibar Training Centre now has the capacity to train 75 students in Construction Certificates I-III. In order to be able to teach level III, construction trainers also received teacher training under the MLSTP. The essential thing was capacitating the teachers, says Mr. Barreto. There was an opportunity where technical specialists came and supported management of the pedagogic framework and also increasing the qualifications of the teachers. They (the teachers) had mostly just graduated from secondary school, but through this program they received their Diploma 2. Teachers are also being trained in teaching methodology, gender awareness, professional ethics and entrepreneurship. To provide self-employment opportunities for graduates, the training centre has created a business incubator. So far nine groups comprised of 45 graduates are participating in this microenterprise development. Their businesses include metal fabrication and welding, electrical, plumbing, carpentry, masonry and road construction. Another innovation unique to Tibar Training Centre is its mobile training unit. Upon request, teachers travel to rural areas and provide on-site training to assist communities in implementing their development projects. Through this initiative, Tibar s lead trainer in solar cells, Dora Elo, provides solar power to remote communities that don t have access to the power grid. Replacing kerosene lamps, candles or darkness, the solar technology provides considerable economic, education and health benefits to families. I want this training centre to continue achieving quality in its training, says Mr. Barreto. This will give faith to young people that the training prepares them with professional knowledge and skills so that they can compete in the job market, create their own work, and make an income for them, their families and also their communities.
The site of the Tibar dormitory, prior to its construction Tibar Training Centre s new dormitory accommodates 20 teachers and 80 students
As part of the project, Tibar Training Centre received a new metal fabrication and welding workshop Dora Elo (pictured right) is the lead trainer in solar cells at Tibar Training Centre
Article & Photos by Sarah Francis Training Centre Profile: DIT-Baucau The Dili Institute of Technology (DIT) regional campus in Baucau was established in 2005 with the support of Rotary Club, to offer civil construction training to youths and veterans. In the past facilities were very limited, says training centre Director Mr. Oscar Belo. At that time we had Certificate I in general construction in carpentry and masonry only. In 2013, DIT-Baucau was selected for inclusion in the Mid-Level Skills Training Project (MLSTP), a $13 million joint venture by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Secretariat of State for Professional Training & Employment Policy (SEPFOPE). Under the MLSTP, mid-level training in construction and automotive mechanics is being offered for the first time in Timor-Leste. With jobs being created through significant infrastructure development, it s logical to train unemployed Timorese youths to fill these positions, rather than hire foreigners. As one of the nation s five accredited construction training providers, DIT-Baucau received facilities and equipment upgrades to enhance the quality of its construction courses. After receiving assistance from the ADB this facilitated two areas to become five areas to run Certificates I and II, explains Mr. Belo. DIT-Baucau now has the capacity to receive 120 construction students. The centre received over $300,000 worth of facilities and equipment upgrades, including new carpentry, plumbing and electrical workshops, rehabilitated masonry and welding workshops, a new teachers office and amenities to cater for female students. Initially when we ran training there weren't many women, not even 20, not even 10, but after the support of the ADB in promoting women, the number dramatically increased, says Mr. Belo. This indicates that there are big changes in this training, we want to promote women working in construction. Currently female enrolment at DIT-Baucau is at a record 35%. Gender inclusion is also aided with female role models; two of the construction trainers at DIT- Baucau are women. As part of the project, the trainers were supported to complete Diploma 2 through POLINEMA; an Indonesian polytechnic institute. They also recently completed Certificate III in Training & Assessment to improve their teaching methodologies. This support helped the training centre improve the trainers knowledge and skills, says Mr. Belo, To be able to provide better training to young people in the future. There are big changes here, he says. In the past before we received help from ADB/SEPFOPE only a few students came to DIT-Baucau, but after we received support from ADB/SEPFOPE many students come because the equipment is sufficient and complete. And what of DIT-Baucau s graduates? Of the students who just graduated, some have already found work, some are working at EDTL (Electricity of Timor-Leste), some are working at a company Wematan Unipessoal as welders, and some are engaging in self-employment, says Mr. Belo. Twenty people in four groups are writing proposals to PMU-SEPFOPE (the MLSTP s Project Management Unit) for support. They are just a few of the 150 graduates the MLSTP is supporting to start their own businesses in construction and automotive. Graduates have already completed entrepreneurship training, and are receiving equipment to start small businesses in their trades. While the centre currently offers training up to level II, its Director has bigger dreams than that. DIT-Baucau s plan for the future is to run Certificates III and IV and then enhance the trainers skills in Certificates III and IV, then upgrade the training equipment to meet industry standards.
In the past, training facilities at DIT-Baucau were very limited New training workshops funded by the Mid-Level Skills Training Project
Female construction teachers are paving the way as role models for new students Director of DIT-Baucau, Mr. Oscar Belo, has big dreams for the training centre
Article & Photos by Sarah Francis Training Centre Profile: SENAI-Becora The National Industrial Training Service in Becora (SENAI-Becora) was established in 2002 as a cooperative effort between the Government of Brazil and the Government of Timor-Leste. It became the nation s second public training institute in 2014 along with Tibar Training Centre in Liquica. This training provider offers a wide range of courses including construction, baking and tailoring. In 2015 it was selected for support by the Mid-Level Skills Training Project (MLSTP), a joint effort by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Secretariat of State for Professional Training & Employment Policy (SEPFOPE). A five-year project, the MLSTP is supporting all five of the nation s accredited construction and automotive training centres with upgrades to support the delivery of levels III and IV construction and level III automotive training for the first time in Timor-Leste. While SENAI-Becora already had good learning spaces for practical and theory work for electrical, plumbing, masonry and carpentry, equipment and funding for training was limited. In 2015 ADB supported us with training equipment and with funding for Certificate III electrical students, says SENAI-Becora s Director, Mr. Lorenzo da Silva Gusmão. This year ADB supported Certificate III training in Civil Construction; electricity, carpentry, masonry, and plumbing. More than $80,000 was invested in training equipment upgrades. The centre now has the capacity to train 176 students in levels I-III construction training. Through the project, SENAI-Becora was also linked with industry to increase its areas of construction training from four to five, with the latest inclusion of metal fabrication and welding. In principle Timorese youths need to increase their skills and knowledge in the area of metal fabrication and welding, says Mr. Gusmão. Specialised Welding Australia came here, they wanted to cooperate with the Timorese Government through SEPFOPE, so they prepared many welding materials and sent them to this training centre For the supply base, they need welders to weld metal, but Timorese youth aren't yet prepared and don't yet have the capacity, so we still need to support youth to increase their skills in welding. The project is encouraging training centres to start production units related to their training, in which students can practice their skills and earn an income for the training centre by selling what they produce. The aim is to reduce dependency on government funding by making the training centres more self-sufficient. Mr. Gusmão says that, For next year we have a plan that this centre can produce some things. For example, at the moment for construction we already have clay bricks, besides giving training to students we also produce clay bricks to sell to the community. Another is about welding, we don't yet have it but next year we'll produce things to sell to the community, for example a machine to grind corn, to grind coconut. It would be good if ADB could spend more time here to continue to help Timorese youth increase their skills to be able to compete with foreigners. Because of this I continue to ask support from ADB, the government, training centres, to provide training to increase the capacity of Timorese youth.
A carpentry student at SENAI-Becora The new metal fabrication and welding workshop funded by Specialised Welding Australia