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FORWARD OPERATING BASE KALSU, Iraq (May 9, 2008) - Approximately
200 students from the Vocational-Technical School in the
Iskandariyah Industrial Complex (IIC) graduated May 4 with friends
and family members in attendance.
"I'd like to say congratulations to the vo-tech director and his
staff but most of all to the students of this graduating class,"
said Lt. Col. Jeff McKone, Multi-National Division - Center
Iskandariyah Industrial Complex liaison, Team Iskan officer in
charge. "It is an honor to be a part of the success in the
rebuilding of the Iskandariyah vo-tech."
Graduates received a certificate of training along with a gift -
sewing machine or computer repair kit - to help them get started in
the business world.
Back in May 2007, only 32 students were enrolled at the
technical school, but now there are more than 700, said Naseer
Abdul Jabar, vo-tech director. He said by June they're hoping to
have 1,000 students enrolled per quarter.
The IIC is located in the northern Babil Province, approximately
50 kilometers south of Baghdad, and houses a cluster of state-owned
factories and the vo-tech, which is open to Iraqis wanting to learn
job skills and trades.
Some of the classes held there include computers, electrical
engineering, plumbing, sewing, carpentry, HVAC, mechanical, auto
mechanics, machining, milling and grinding.
"Now that you have the skills you need you will be able to serve
this country and you will help the economy grow," said Sabah
al-Khafaji, chief of the Mussayib council.
The IIC is a business incubator similar to the Job-Corps program
in the United States, dedicated to young start-up businesses. It
has the space required for manufacturing, research and development
and administration for young and established enterprises.
At the same time, the vo-tech is intended to produce a steady
stream of qualified workers for the industries and business,
providing a further base of economic stability in the region.
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