Over 500 young apprentices have successfully graduated from the National Apprenticeship Programme thus far, the Minister of Youth Empowerment, Information and Arts, Ibrahim Asward has revealed.
The programme aims to equip youth with valuable skills and knowledge through expert training, enabling them to gain experience in various fields.
Speaking during the closing ceremony of the National Apprenticeship Programme and the Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL) “Hunavaru” Apprenticeship Programme, Minister Asward highlighted the programme as the flagship initiative to execute the Ministry’s youth empowerment and engagement mandate.
The primary objective of the programme, according to the Minister, is develop and train the young workforce to reduce the need for expatriate workers in the Maldives.
The programme is not only aimed at creating employment opportunities, but it also helps to instill independence and the ability to develop new skills among young people, he said, adding that more than 500 youths have been trained so far through national apprenticeship programmes conducted throughout the country.
"A total of 569 young people have been trained under the National Apprenticeship Programme. 113 young people are completing apprenticeship programs run by various companies. So I believe this is an important achievement,” he said.
Minister Asward expressed confidence graduates from this programme will go on to play an important role in increasing national productivity and contributing to economic growth. The Minister said the cooperation between the government, local companies and other sectors is essential to continue such programmes and these cooperations will provide such opportunities to many young people in the future.