Commencement of trainings

May 07, the VTC was official opened for classes. Trainees gathered at 11am, the aged bracket of the trainees range from 18 – 40. The gender cuts across all gender. Most of the male folks registered for the Agricultural practices, while most of the women folks registered for the Carpet weaving and Bakery. However, the Computer and Advertisement design comprised mostly of youths.

Prior to the training, the project working group with the Chairman of IEPF, Umud Mirzayev, who is also the project Coordinator, went round to introduce the project goals and intended outputs. The trainees were also well informed about the source of fund –the United States Department of States through the Bureau of Political Military Affairs, Office of Weapon Removal and Abatement (US DOS, PM/WRA).

Orientation Training for VTC trainers

In line with the activity plan for the VTC, training activities has already commenced in the VTC. Beginning from May 03, the working group started making calls to selected participants in the various vocational trainings.

Several orientation trainings were conducted for the trainers at the VTC by Shiyab Mammadov (Consultant/Expert) and Nick Nwolisa (Project Manager). The selected Trainers and the directions of training they would be conducting are:

Kamakurova Alexandra: Bakery

Musa Immanverdiyev: Carpet weaving

Rashat Karimov: Computer and Advertisement designs

Nazami Berdari: Agricultural practices

During the trainers’ orientation training, the following trainings were conducted:

• Modes of teaching
• Techniques of passing on information
• Skills for vocational instructions
• Assessment of trainings
• Preparing training plans and monitoring trainees level of experiences

Besides the orientation trainings, another activity that was considered with the trainers was the preparation of time tables with more emphasis on practical aspects of the training process. The Lessons would be held 4 days in a week beginning from Tuesdays to Fridays. The reason for the selected days of the week is to allow for travelling time for some of the trainers that might be traveling from afar. Each lesson period is for 4 hours and the total duration of trainings is for 4 months. Within this duration, it is intended to train 32 persons in the above listed vocational skills.

Opening Ceremony of Tartar Regional Vocational Training Center -VTC

The International Eurasia Press Fund -IEPF established the vocational training center to benefit the war victims, retirees deminers and the community people who needs upliftment in their living conditions. The VTC is constructed in the Tartar region of Azerbaijan, but it is intended to be a regional center covering several regions in proximity with Tartar.

The project was financed by the United States Department of States, through the Bureau of Political Military Affairs, Office of Weapon Removal and Abatement. (PM/WRA). The duration of the project is for 1 and a half years beginning from July 01, 2010, and within the period, IEPF is to construct a 2 decked building that would have training rooms, lodging spaces, and a sizable conference hall.

March 30, the Grant Officer Representative -Ms. Katherine Baker participated in the opening ceremony of the VTC in Tartar. She was accompanied by the US Embassy in Azerbaijan Attachee, Mr. Micheal Guant. The event was well covered in the media both in the local language Azeri and in English; see here, here, here, here, here, here, and here.

The primary goal of the Tartar Regional Vocational Training Center is to reintegrate war victims and mine clearance retirees into society by fostering employment opportunities in the Tartar District. The main objectives are: Develop income generating skills of mine victim families and retired humanitarian mine action personnel; and Integrate trained personnel into mainstream society.