Press Release

USAID and Chevron Alliance Targets Vocational Training for Acehnese Youth

Banda Aceh | Monday, August 15, 2005

The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and Chevron Corporation are offering scholarships to over 300 Acehnese youth, aged 18-22, to attend three-month vocational skill-building courses in Riau province, Sumatra. These scholarships will help youth sharpen the skills needed to engage in the reconstruction of tsunami stricken communities.

On August 14, the second group of 75 students arrived at Politeknik Caltex Riau in Pekanbaru to study computer applications, welding and bookkeeping. The first group of 60 participants arrived in Pekanbaru on July 17 to study building construction and electric wiring installation.

The students will be mentored by professional and specialized trainers at Politeknik Caltex Riau to enable them to develop valuable professional skills to take back to their communities.

Students were identified from 33 of the tsunami-affected villages where the USAID Community Based Recovery program operates. Motivation, interest and previous work or school background were key criteria in making the selections, with final decisions coming from the village leaders.

The Vocational Training Alliance for Aceh is a result of a $10 million partnership between USAID and Chevron Corporation. By the end of 2005, the program will offer 330 scholarships to Acehnese youth. Subjects of study include computer troubleshooting, computer applications, bookkeeping, electronic repair, electric wiring installation, building construction, carpentry, road construction, and welding.

The Alliance complements the U.S. government’s broader $157 million education initiative for Indonesia, working to improve the quality of basic education throughout the country. Education is a major component of the overall USAID assistance strategy for Indonesia which also aims to strengthen decentralized and democratic governance, foster economic growth, and improve the delivery of critical services such as health, water, and the environment.

For more information about the USAID Chevron alliance, contact Pak Indriartoto, Public-Private Alliance Specialist, USAID Decentralized Basic Education Program, indriartoto@cbn.net.id, HP (0812) 1907800.

Aliansi USAID dan Chevron Membidik Pelatihan Kejuruan bagi Pemuda Aceh

Badan Pembangunan Internasional Amerika Serikat (USAID) dan Chevron Corporation menawarkan beasiswa bagi lebih dari 300 pemuda Aceh yang berusia antara 18 sampai 22 tahun, untuk mengikuti berbagai kursus pemantapan keahlian di Provinsi Riau, Sumatra. Beasiswa tersebut akan membantu para pemuda untuk mengasah berbagai keahlian yang diperlukan untuk membangun kembali komunitas-komunitas yang terkena musibah tsunami.

Pada tanggal 14 Agustus, kelompok kedua yang terdiri dari 75 siswa tiba di Politeknik Caltex Riau di Pekanbaru untuk mempelajari aplikasi komputer, pengelasan dan pembukuan. Kelompok pertama yang terdiri dari 60 peserta telah lebih dulu tiba di Pekanbaru pada tanggal 17 Juli untuk mempelajari konstruksi bangunan dan instalasi kabel listrik.

Para siswa tersebut akan dibimbing oleh pelatih-pelatih spesialis dan profesional di Politeknik Caltex Riau agar mereka dapat mengembangkan berbagai keahlian profesional yang penting untuk diterapkan di komunitas asal mereka.

Para siswa dipilih dari 33 desa yang terkena musibah tsunami di mana Program Pemulihan Berbasiskan Masyarakat (Community Based Recovery Program) USAID beroperasi. Motivasi, minat serta pengalaman kerja dan latar belakang pendidikan, merupakan kriteria pokok dalam seleksi, dan keputusan akhir diambil oleh para kepala desa.

Aliansi Pelatihan Kejuruan (Vocational Training Alliance) untuk Aceh adalah hasil dari program kemitraan senilai 10 juta dolar antara USAID dan Chevron Corporation. Pada akhir 2005, program ini akan menawarkan 330 beasiswa bagi para pemuda Aceh. Bidang-bidang studi yang diajarkan mencakup perbaikan komputer, aplikasi komputer, pembukuan, reparasi elektronik, instalasi kabel listrik, konstruksi bangunan, pertukangan, pembangunan jalan, dan pengelasan.

Aliansi ini melengkapi program bantuan Pemerintah A.S. senilai 157 juta dolar untuk Indonesia, dengan tujuan meningkatkan kualitas pendidikan dasar di seluruh pelosok negeri. Pendidikan adalah suatu komponen utama dalam strategi bantuan USAID secara keseluruhan bagi Indonesia, yang juga bertujuan untuk memperkuat pemerintahan yang terdesentralisasi dan demokratis, meningkatkan pertumbuhan ekonomi, serta memperbaiki pelayanan-pelayanan vital seperti kesehatan, air, dan lingkungan.

Untuk informasi lebih lanjut mengenai aliansi USAID-Chevron, silakan hubungi Bapak Indriartoto, Public-Private Alliance Specialist, USAID Decentralized Basic Education Program, di indriartoto@cbn.net.id, HP 0812-1907800.

Learn more: Economic Growth | Tsunami Reconstruction | About this activity

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