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ITE Sets up Regional Vocational Training Centre in Jordan

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ITE SETS UP REGIONAL VOCATIONAL TRAINING CENTRE IN JORDAN

by Lim Hui Ling

ITE is making inroads into Jordan with the setting up of a Regional Vocational Training Centre (RVTC) to help mould manpower for the country’s emerging Building sector. The Centre was officially open by Senior Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Mr Zainul Abidin Rasheed, and Jordanian Labour Minister, Mr Bassem Al-Salem, on 21 October 2007.

Of ITE’s involvement, Mr Zainul said at the official opening that he was confident ITE was able to do its part in imparting know-how to the Jordanians. ITE, he added, has played a key role in equipping Singaporeans with the right skills set in diverse areas to support Singapore’s economy. The RVTC was set up as part of the Asia-Middle East Dialogue (AMED) between Singapore and Jordan. Some S$1.2 million has been contributed to the setting-up, as well as equipment installation.

The RVTC, located outside Jordan’s capital, Amman, was set up with the contributions of ITE College East and ITE Education Services Pte Ltd (ITEES). ITEES is a subsidiary of ITE and undertakes overseas consultancy projects for ITE.

Expertise Exported
Indeed, the RVTC in Jordan would not have been possible without the expertise of the Building Services Technology (BST) Department of ITE College East. The College lent its expertise in curriculum development, the design of training facilities, procurement of training equipment, and the running of the Train-The-Trainer programme, as well as direct training of participants from the Middle-East regions. The Centre will also conduct the ITE BST course.

To ensure a smooth setting-up, the BST Lecturers of ITE College East, Mr Lee Fook Sin and Mr Zulkifli b Mohamed Zain, were deployed on a two-month stint to Jordan. Mr Lee, Senior Lecturer-Mentor, said of his stint: “I found the Jordan experience a good exposure. I had to execute several modifications on-the-spot to accommodate the local needs. In the process, I got to learn a new culture and overcome language barrier.” There in Jordan from August to September, they also had to get used to a different climate.

Collaboration Enhanced
As many as 15 trainers from the AMED member countries were in Jordan to undergo the Workshop in Air-conditioning Systems, Maintenance and Diagnostics. The Workshop, conducted by ITE, marks the first collaboration effort between the Technical Cooperation Directorate of Singapore’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Jordanian Vocational Training Centre. It trained participants for skills upgrading in the installation and maintenance of air-conditioning equipment. Participants received a Certificate of Achievement jointly issued by Jordan’s Ministry of Labour and Singapore’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The Workshop was conducted from 20 October to 8 November 2007.