HDC awards certificates to graduates of Apprenticeship Program

Certificates have been awarded to the successful graduates of Housing Development Corporation (HDC)’s Apprenticeship Program.

Over 70 apprentices were awarded certificates during a special ceremony held at Villa College's QI campus on Wednesday. 

The fields that apprentices were trained under the program include gardening, masonry works, welding techniques, plumbing, carpentry, electrical installation, and maintenance, heavy vehicle operation, building maintenance, construction site supervision, and refrigeration and air-conditioning.

Speaking at the ceremony, HDC's Managing Director Ahmed Athif said that the purpose of the program was to train locals for fields that are presently in demand in the Maldives so they may be employed in place of expatriate workers. 

“[Our aim is] to train the 3,000 workers to fulfill the government target,” Athif added. 

Athif underscored that HDC provides as many graduates with opportunities in the company as permanent staff as possible. 

Minister of Youth, Sports and Community Empowerment Ahmed Mahloof, the guest of honor at the closing ceremony, said he was happy to see a majority of the participants complete the program.

He expressed his belief that such programs will increase chances for local youths of landing good job opportunities. 

HDC's Apprenticeship Program was carried out as part of the government's National Apprenticeship Program, in collaboration with Youth Ministry and Economic Ministry. 

Maldives Institute of Technology (MIT) oversaw the program. The conclusion of the Apprenticeship Program effectively makes HDC the state-owned company that has trained the most number of youths.