Sixty-Six Students Graduated May 12
The new Vocational school located at Al Kut has been proving to be very successful, with the recent graduation of 66 new students on May 12th.
The school was a welcome addition to the region, giving up to 70 students at a time the opportunity to learn skills and receive vocational training that they can use to help start their own small businesses. The Wasit Provincial reconstruction team provides small kits to the students, to help them with starting their own small businesses once they get back into the community.
“Each of the kits has material to help them start their own small industry,” said Captain Caroline Pogge. Captain Pogge is with 411th Civil Affairs Battalion, Company B.
“We are trying, both with training and with kits to provide materials to help the students help themselves, not only do they start their own businesses but they are then able to help sponsor others,” said Captain Pogge.
The center and vocational school is funded by the local government, but was guided and initially build using coalition provided materials. The courses at the new school run from 8 weeks to 16 weeks, and cover subjects in metalwork, milling, mason and carpentry, sewing, auto repair, and computer repair work.
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The school has already been a boost to the local economy, and high hopes are felt about the way that the school will help the entire region. “The response from the community and from the students has been positive, we are hopeful that it will help jump-start the local economy,” said Captain Pogge.