Learning to learn for life and work: Inspiring Youth in TVET
As part of its World Youth Skills Day 2019 campaign, UNESCO-UNEVOC is sharing stories submitted by its UNEVOC Centres about inspiring young people who are realizing their ambitions through Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET). These young people are students, teachers/trainers or graduates of UNEVOC Centres. The stories presented below are a selection of the submissions received.
UNEVOC Centre: Abu Dhabi Centre for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (ACTVET)
Country: United Arab Emirates
Nominee: Roudha Bin Bahr
“Mastering a specific technical or vocational skill, no matter how complicated, can be achieved. All you need is the confidence, willingness and courage to pursue your passion.”
Roudha Bin Bahr, 23 years old, is an Emirati Chemical Engineer, currently employed by Petrofac International.
She was the only female engineer to compete in the Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning category in the WorldSkills 2017 competition held by ACTVET.
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In preparation for her participation in the competition, Roudha trained in a factory alongside 800 male technicians.
Roudha has undertaken the following roles:
- Expert in World Skills Asia 2018
- Chief Expert in Emirates Skills 2018 & 2019
- Expert in WorldSkills Kazan 2019 (upcoming)
Climate Control Middle East Magazine awarded Roudha for outstanding performance in the refrigeration and air conditioning field.
After her participation in WorldSkills 2017, Roudha was able to motivate more UAE nationals and females to pursue training in Refrigeration and Air Conditioning.
UNEVOC Centre: Antsiranana Higher Institute of Technology
Country: Madagascar
Nominee: Erwine Thomas Greenlia Ratsima
“It is easy to find a job, but difficult to develop a vocation. If you want success, you should have good ideas, good development plans and a good team.”
Erwine Thomas Greenlia Ratsima, 22 years old, studied Naval Technology and formed a Naval Technology start-up with three classmates in 2018 (The BECAN Company).
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Erwine knew that the knowledge and skills he acquired in naval technology were rare, but at the same time, he saw that the few shipyards and naval companies in Madagascar were not hiring. In response, he decided to create his own company.
The BECAN company:
- hires new graduates.
- trains young recruits to become professionals.
- currently employs four trainee students with plans to take on more in 2019.
- has won 12 competitive contracts in its 1st year of business.
UNEVOC Centre: Centre for Flexible Learning, Soderhamn, Halsingland Education Association (CFL)
Country: Sweden
Nominee: Fanny Berggren
"More girls should seek this training!"
Fanny Berggren, 20 years old, has always had an interest in cars. This prompted her to pursue the vehicle and transport VET programme.
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She is doing her workplace training at a haulage company where she is more than happy to apply what she has learned in her studies.
- Her goal is to drive timber trucks.
- Fanny’s future looks bright as newly trained professional drivers take CPC (vocational qualifications) whilst learning the latest technology and all new regulations linked to transportation.
UNEVOC Centre: Technical School of Nkolbisson (LTN)
Country: Cameroon
Nominee: MA'A Marcel Landry
"School training is no longer sufficient for youth employment. It is important to associate it with the experiences of life."
MA'A Marcel Landry, 19 years old, is a student in the final year of carpentry and cabinetmaking (CCA).
The development of his skills has allowed him to be creative in his woodwork.
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- He has become financially independent during his training. After training, it is his ambition to open his own workshop - "Marcel'BOIS", in which he intends to employ young Cameroonians eager to follow his path.
- The visibility of Marcel through his work has motivated other students. At school and during open days, his products bring him and the school significant revenue.
UNEVOC Centre: Malta College of Arts, Science & Technology (MCAST)
Country: Malta
Nominee: Salem Alzarouq
"Never give up. Don’t focus on the negative experiences you might encounter in life. Instead, utilize them as a positive lever for your future and that of others."
Salem, 27 years old, is from Tripoli, Libya. He studied science and engineering at secondary level followed by studies at the Libyan Aviation Academy. He had to abandon his studies due to the grave situation in the country.
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He arrived in Malta in 2016 and started studying a Foundation course in Engineering at MCAST the following year, before progressing to a Diploma in Aircraft Maintenance.
- During his studies, Salem meets younger students following the same courses and uses his age and experience to mentor them, as he firmly believes in his responsibility to support and encourage others.
UNEVOC Centre: Malta College of Arts, Science & Technology (MCAST)
Country: Malta
Nominee: Alagib Maki al Tahir
"Never stop learning! Learning is an ongoing process. When you stop learning, you kill your dreams."
Alagib, 28 years old, is from Sudan. He is a student at MCAST, enrolled in the Aviation Maintenance Category A Licence Course.
He arrived in Malta in 2014 following a risky journey through the Sahara Desert and across the Mediterranean Sea.
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- Alagib is in his first year of studies at MCAST on a two-year course and works as an apprentice with Lufthansa Technik.
- When Alagib commenced his journey out of Sudan he realised the importance of acquiring skills in his life. He left the country because of the war in Darfur.
- In five years, he obtained a Certificate in Mechanical Engineering and a Diploma in Aviation Maintenance. Alagib is innovative and a visionary – through learning, the sky is the limit!
UNEVOC Centre: Bow Valley College (BVC)
Country: Canada
Nominee: Micah Louison
“Once you find something you are passionate about, you should aim for that and be paid to play. Be realistic about that passion: you need to address a problem and consider who is willing to pay for a solution.”
Originally from Grenada, Micah, 25 years old, moved with his family to Canada following a devastating hurricane when he was a child. Micah’s own inspiration came from his personal experience of a natural disaster.
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- Knowing the challenges that people in disaster zones face, Micah’s concept for a ‘Home In A Bag’ was a direct result of wanting to support and empower others who go through similar natural disasters/emergencies.
- It was Micah’s goal of helping others through education that led him to Bow Valley College and to participate in VentureQuest, where he won third place, and started a new path in the community as an innovator and entrepreneur.
- Since then, Micah has been active in his community, being on a local television show ‘100% Local’ to highlight his achievements, as well as being part of the 1st cohort of the League of Innovators in Calgary.
- This exposure and success as a role model led to Micah being asked by the Calgary Board of Education to become a community mentor for Grade 8/9 students, as well as becoming a Counsellor for Entrepreneurship and Critical Thinking as part of the Canada-wide Tim Horton’s Foundation.
UNEVOC Centre: Centre for Technical Vocational Education Training and Research, University of Nigeria (CETVETAR)
Country: Nigeria
Nominee: Jude Chijioke Eneja
"Do not wait for the government or your parents to provide all that you need in life; instead equip yourselves with a skill. Skill acquisition is necessary in the life of any youth who wants to make a difference."
Jude, 26 years old, is currently a second year undergraduate student in the Department of Industrial Technical Education of our University.
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Before his admission, Jude served as an apprentice for two years in electrical installation.
- Based on his expertise, he became one of the UNEVOC Centre trainers.
- Jude came from a poor family which made it extremely difficult for him to receive a basic education.
- This situation led him to go into apprenticeship training in electrical installation and maintenance in 2010, which everybody in his family is now benefiting from.
- Jude was able to save enough money to further his education and he was admitted in the year 2017 to study Industrial Technical Education in the Faculty of Vocational and Technical Education.
- Through his business, Jude has helped classmates and friends to pay their enrollment fees at the university.
UNEVOC Centre: University of Eldoret (UoEld)
Country: Kenya
Nominee: Mercy Jemutai
"Practical skills and a positive attitude towards these kinds of skills are an asset. It is one of the most important steps in addressing current rising youth unemployment."
Mercy, 22 years old, is a final year (4th year) student specialising in home science and technology.
- She makes doormats during holidays and weekends and trains both young girls and women in the community to make them. The mats are made from recycled pieces of cloth and patterned in different colours.
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The project:
- has enabled Mercy to impart skills to girls and women in the community and allowed them to realize that this is an economic activity that can be practiced with ease.
- has enabled her to foot the bills for electricity, water, transport, house rental charges and food during her studies instead of relying solely on her parents.
- has sparked the interest of young girls and women who are now motivated to do similar work and this is fast spreading to others in the community.
UNEVOC Centre: National College of Technical Professional Education (CONALEP)
Country: Mexico
Nominee: Edith Esmeralda Medina Garcia
"Find your passion and generate a change, no matter how small or great. We can always be that spark of light for someone who needs it."
Edith Esmeralda Medina Garcia, 17 years old, is a fourth semester student pursuing studies in Maintenance of Electronic Systems in CONALEP Coahuila.
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- Participation and interest generated by the STEM world (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) has provided the opportunity to participate in world competitions such as FIRST (for inspiration and recognition of science and technology).
- Edith is also self-taught in Braille and gives robotics courses to children with visual disabilities.
- She has carried out projects to make existing technologies more accessible to all audiences by improving their costs and making them accessible to children and young people of different ages.
UNEVOC Centre: National College of Technical Professional Education (CONALEP)
Country: Mexico
Nominee: Citali Libertad Ramirez Monjaraz
“Young people should fight for their dreams and be able to stand out in the world of work for the benefit of our society.”
Citlali Ramirez, 20 years old, studies Food and Beverages in CONALEP Mexico City. She is an entrepreneur who suffers from anaemia. Through her research, she developed, "Kaw-Muuk", a handmade chocolate that helps to prevent and fight anaemia.
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- She participated in the Entrepreneurs 2018 Programme of JA México, winning 2nd prize for the best product stand.
- She participated in the FIE 2018 International Forum of Entrepreneurs, where she won honorable mention in the Bernardo Quintana Arrioja Leadership category.
- She developed entrepreneurial skills that allowed her to meet young people of different nationalities and acquire greater knowledge about social entrepreneurship.
UNEVOC Centre: National College of Technical Professional Education (CONALEP)
Country: Mexico
Nominee: Emmanuel Curiel Sanchez
"Circumstances do not define your destiny. Regardless of your background, origin or disability, you are capable of becoming the person you really want to be."
Emmanuel Curiel Sanchez is a 17 year old who is currently studying at CONALEP.
- When Emmanuel was born, he was diagnosed with Child Brain Paralysis. Doctors said he would not be able to speak or even walk, and he was expected to live for just a couple of months.
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- Undoubtedly, Emmanuel has been a great example of strength, motivation and admiration for his professors and classmates at the institute.
- Emmanuel has shown a great passion for arts and public speaking.
- He won first prize in an oratory contest held in the institute. In spite of his disability, he has managed to do what he likes and stand out from the crowd.
- Equally important to mention, he has shown leadership capablities among his classmates and has managed to achieve the respect of everyone, including professors and administrators at CONALEP.
UNEVOC Centre: National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC)
Country: India
Nominee: Anita Kumari
"Acquiring a vocational skill, especially early in life, empowers people to achieve beyond their imagination"
- Anita Kumari, 24 years old, is from a rural background and got married at the age of 20 to a farmer. In November 2017, after 5 years of marriage, her husband passed away, leaving her with two kids to raise.
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- Due to the regressive mindset of the community in her husband’s village, where widows were looked down upon as bringing bad fortune, she was forced to move back to her parents’ house. Her brother got to know from a colleague about skills training at ICICI Foundation, a training partner of NSDC.
- Determined to fight her circumstances and encouraged by the optimism exhibited by the counsellor, she enrolled herself in the Selling Skills course offered at the centre.
- She showed determination by waking up at 3 am and travelling over 50 kms every day, using multiple modes of transport, to reach the centre on time. She also received a certificate for being a most determined student.
- Recently, she was offered a stable Government job in her village as an Anganwadi Worker (local village Hub for women and child care), which entails working on the implementation of a Government scheme, especially related to women and children.
- Her story has inspired young girls in her community to take up skills training.
UNEVOC Centre: National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC)
Country: India
Nominee: Radhika Goenka
"Passion, combined with the right training and skills, will empower our youth to change the world. If each one of us helps one person, and that person in turn helps the next, we can all be a part of changing the world for the better."
- Radhika, 23 years old, is the youngest NBI (Neethling Brain Institute) qualified Whole Brain Practitioner in India – achieved in early 2019.
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- Wholebrain Practioners are qualified to use a scientific formulated set of brain instruments to determine the thinking preference of individuals, whether right-brained or left-brained.
- She is affiliated with NSDC, a UNEVOC Centre, through the Skills Saathi Counselling Initiative. She attended the SSC initiative to undertake training and career guidance.
- Skills training gave Saathi a step forward in her counselling career to help her students secure a brighter future.
UNEVOC Centre: Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA)
Country: Philippines
Nominee: Cherry M. Galit
"With hard work, dedication and determination, you can achieve success."
- Cherry M. Galit, 27 years old, is the 2017 winner of the Idol Award in the Self-Employment Category. The award was given by the TESDA Women’s Center (TWC), Philippines, and is the first of its kind. She is a graduate of Food & Beverage Servicing NCII and Bartending NCII.
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- She is now an entrepreneur managing a Mobile Bar provided by Ginebra San Miguel. She named the mobile bar “JCAB I-mix” and it caters various events.
- Due to the success of her business, she was able to purchase two additional mobile bars and employed seven (7) of her classmates and other bartending graduates of TWC.
UNEVOC Centre: University of Management (TISBI)
Country: Russia
Nominee: Daniil Sheyko
"We are the trigger of the future. Visualize and dream, do something that you have not even thought about!"
- Daniil Sheyko, 20 years old, is Chairman of the Student Council of the University of Management "TISBI", Vice-President of the Republic Youth Public Organization "Student League of the Republic of Tatarstan" on student government issues, and organizes more than 100 events per year, including those held under the auspices of UNESCO.
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- Thanks to his studies at TISBI and in cooperation with the UNEVOC Centre, Daniil Sheyko was able to enter state youth politics in Russia.
- He received a scholarship from the Republic of Tatarstan for his great contribution to science and won a prize for being the best leader of the Universities Student Anti-Corruption Commissions.
- Daniil is the leader of many socially important projects for community development. He is the head of the All-Russian Student Government Forum "Alga-Forward", which facilitates peer discussions and supports student projects from all over Russia.
- As StudHelp project manager, he provides legal support to students from the Universities of the Republic of Tatarstan.
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