Job Training – a milestone for Little Stars
Since 2016 Little Stars offers vocational training to motivated young people in the rural areas of Nepal to provide job opportunities to them after finishing school. The focus of job training is on skilled work which is the kind of work needed to earn a living also in rural areas. It is interesting to know in this context that many young people and adults with an academic education have great problems finding a job.
Training courses started initially in cooperation with UCEP – Underprivileged Children Educational Program. This is a well known NGO from New Zealand which was founded by Dr. L. Cheyne in 1978. Initially UCEP provided the trainers and the machinery and Little Stars provided the rooms. The curriculum is in line with the guidelines of the Chamber of Trade in Nepal and covers the areas masonry, plumbing, welding and electrical installation. Trainings have a duration of four months, consisting of a three months theory section followed by four weeks of practical training. At the end of the training course the trainees take an exam and are provided with a certificate of the National Skill Testing Board.
The co-operation with UCEP gave Little Stars the chance for networking and gaining experience in this important field. The successful implementation of this project is in line with our motto “we offer a future”.
Meanwhile Little Stars has started offering courses on their own or together with local partners. In addition to the original subjects we offer tailoring courses and Kadhai which is traditional embroidery for festive gowns. We support our trainees in financing sewing machines so they can continue what they have learned and earn their living with their work. At the end of each course an exam is taken and a certificate by a recognised training institute is issued to each successful participant.
At the beginning of 2019 Little Stars introduced PC training. There is a lot of interest in these courses and they are a great success.
A survey conducted among all participants of our training courses offered so far shows, that on average 74% of all participants make use of the skills acquired in our trainings to earn their living.
Due to the Corona Pandemic and the related restrictions adopted by the authorities, activities in Nepal became more difficult. We did, however, find ways to carry out new trainings for producing soap and detergents, light vehicle driver training, teacher training and continue tailoring and computer trainings.
