Higher Education Minister: Govt. cannot build a skilled workforce alone

Higher Education Minister Dr. Ibrahim Hassan urged support from the private sector, state-owned enterprises, non-governmental organizations, and clubs and associations on Saturday, stating that the work of building a skilled national workforce wasn’t something the government could accomplish alone.

Ibrahim, speaking as guest of honor at Fenaka Institute’s convocation ceremony on Wednesday evening, said the government wanted to facilitate as many opportunities to build a talented, skilled and young workforce as possible.

“We are ready to collaborate with any company prepared to do it. We are conducting our various programs to achieve this very objective,” he said.

Ibrahim said he does not believe the responsibility of building a skilled workforce lies with the government alone, and that the government alone cannot accomplish the work.

“For this to be successfully done, the government, private sector, SOEs, NGOs and clubs and associations need to collaborate, and work together to achieve a common objective, and with one purpose and spirit. We are ready to work together with all these parties,” he said.

He said that the ‘Skills for a Resilient Workforce’ initiated by the Higher Education Ministry was evidence of the government’s commitment to train Maldivian youth for the workforce.

Ibrahim said that when Fenaka Corporation had first established the Fenaka Institute, many had questioned the purpose of SOEs establishing such institutes. He said that the government supported Fenaka to establish the institute because they believed the corporation needed to train people for vital fields.

“Water and sanitation are fields that have room for major academic work and major scientific research. They are fields that require all this in Maldives,” he said.

Ibrahim commended Fenaka for taking the initiative to conduct such research.

On Saturday, 23 students – including 21 male students and two female students – successfully completed Certificate III in Engine Repair and Maintenance and graduated from Fenaka Institute.