At least 300 candidates graduated in different fields at the Torit Vocational Training Center in Eastern Equatoria State capital, Torit, on Wednesday.
The graduation came after training in carpentry and joinery, building and construction, tailoring and garment cutting, computer applications, hairdressing and bakery.
Center Principal Germano Okello said 129 of the graduands were males while 171 were females.
“Today is the graduation ceremony of 300 learners so we welcome all of us for this great ceremony. We are graduating six trades after training for six months. The departments are carpentry and joinery, building and construction, tailoring and garment cutting, computer application, hairdressing and bakery. We have 129 males and 171 females,” he explained.
The graduands’ representative, Emmanuel Kasmiro, said they needed startup kits to start their work.
He urged the school leadership and partners to upgrade the vocational trainings to degree and diploma programs to enable learners advance.
We need the program to be upgraded to diploma and bachelor degrees, and we should be provided with materials to help us get started, he said, regretting that their courses had no industrial attachment component.
Morwari B Quarter Council Area Sub-Chief Rose Simon applauded the tutors for their efforts that led to the success of the training.
She urged the graduates to put their skills into practice and share them with others.
The representative of OPRD, a supporting organization, Nelson Odur, disclosed their plans to ensure learners were provided with the startup kits
“Today is a happy day for our learners and I don’t want you to be overwhelmed by challenges. Let us focus on an achievement that we have done together. All these groups are already briefed on the issue of startup kits, and the instructors are preparing a detailed list of learners with their specific needs,” he said
The Director of Vocational Training in the National Ministry of Labor, Rev. Ben Waigo, expressed disappointment over the lack of startup kits to the graduates.
He told the technical working group to pull up their socks and ensure sufficient practical work for the trainees.