Vocational training course concludes

CHAKDARA: A six-month technical and vocational training course for the locals and Afghan refugees concluded here on Friday.

The training was imparted to the locals and Afghan refugees under the Refugee Affected and Hosting Areas (RAHA) Programme of the UNHCR.

RAHA project is aimed at promoting regional stability and compensating people for the social, economic and environmental consequences inflicted on Pakistani communities by the presence of more than three million Afghans refugees over the past three decades.

Up to 200 individuals between 18-45 years of age, including 50 Afghan refugees, were imparted skills in four trades i.e. welding, electrician, refrigeration and air condition repairing.

The programme was funded by the German government and implemented by Regional Institute of Policy Research and Training (RIPORT).

A certificate and tool kit distribution ceremony was organised on the completion of the course at the Government Technical and Vocational Training Centre (GTVC) in Chakdara.

UNHCR representatives, officials from the Commissionerate for Afghan Refugees (CAR), GTVC Chakdara and RIPORT staff attended the certificate distribution ceremony.

The RIPORT also distributed tool kits and monthly stipends among the beneficiaries.

Project Manager RIPORT Aimal Jalal shed light on the programme. He hoped the training would help the beneficiaries to earn decent livelihood and support their families financially.