Minister of Homeland Security and Technology Ali Ihusaan has highlighted the importance of obtaining training and education through an apprenticeship programme. He made the remark while speaking as Chief Guest at the graduation ceremony for the 13th batch of the Dhiraagu Apprenticeship Programme.
Speaking at the ceremony, Minister Ihusaan said working with experienced people in the workplace and following their instructions and learning their experience is the most important and beneficial lesson that can be learned from an apprenticeship programme. He also expressed his belief that other companies should begin similar apprenticeship programmes as part of their corporate social responsibility.
Also at the ceremony, Managing Director of Dhiraagu Ismail Rasheed said the main objective of the annual apprenticeship programme is to provide the youth with job experience and employment opportunities. He also said the programme gives participants experience in various fields such as finance, marketing, sales and innovation, HR and customer service. He added that the programme is designed to be conducted in other parts of the country where Dhiraagu head offices are located. He further said that almost all the graduates are now in respectable jobs, with some serving in government at the level of deputy minister or as managing directors at companies.
The Dhiraagu Apprenticeship Programme has been conducted annually since 2008. So far, 268 participants have completed the apprenticeship programme. The programme aims to train and empower young people who are new to the workplace. A total of 13 individuals graduated from the last apprenticeship programme.