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FORWARD OPERATING BASE FENTY, Afghanistan (January 16, 2008) -
U.S. Army engineers of Task Force Rugged concluded the first of
three winter skilled-labor workshops to train local Afghans on
construction skills Jan. 13.
Soldiers with 76th Engineer Company, Task Force Pacemaker,
stationed at Fort Knox, Ky., instructed 50 Afghans on masonry and
carpentry skills here.
"We wanted to provide the training during a time of
traditionally low economic activity," said Army 1st Lt. Alberto
Locsin, the Task Force Pacemaker civil military operations officer,
from Tacoma, Wash.
In a close partnership between the engineers and local
governments, provincial labor directors nominated unemployed
citizens to attend the course. Other students were nominated by
Afghan contractors to improve the skill level and capability of
their employees.
Saidghafoor Shah, a 32-year-old from Dari Noor, Jalalabad,
participated in the workshop. As a carpenter for 10 years, Shah not
only wanted to learn additional carpentry and masonry skills but
also said he wants to share ideas.
"I have learned a lot of things that I can use on the outside;
it will help me get a job," Shah said. "The techniques I've learned
will make me more efficient. I have learned great methods on
construction."
All of the students in the course receive free room, board,
transportation to and from the worksite, and tools necessary to
complete course requirements. At the successful completion of the
course, graduates will receive a tool kit as a means to continue
their endeavors in the construction industry and possibly start
their own construction business. U.S. Army noncommissioned officers
are instructing students with the help of interpreters.
The program, which involves hands-on training, is seven days of
instruction and construction, including safety training, basic
carpentry and masonry skills training, and the construction of two
instructional projects, a wooden garden tool shed, and a brick and
block wall.
"The workshop is designed to increase the capabilities and
skills of Afghans in order to improve wage-earning abilities and
competition among contractors," Locsin said. "Ultimately, the
workshop will improve infrastructure and the economy in
Afghanistan. The workshop is also increasing the capacity of Afghan
contractors (by) increasing the skilled labor pool in the
area."
Shah, as many of the participants conveyed, plans to put these
skills to perfect use.
"I want to be able to serve my country, my people, and support
my family," Shah said.
The next two scheduled workshops are Jan. 19-26 at Forward
Operating Base Sharana, and Feb. 2-9 at Forward Operating Base
Orgun-E.
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