In Kabada Village, Kolwezi City, Lualaba Province, southern Democratic Republic of the Congo, many young people now have access to learn professional skills, such as electrical engineering and automotive repair, without having to leave their hometown, and with these skills, they are able to find jobs in large enterprises.
Young people have a class at a technical school in Kabada Village, Kolwezi City, Lualaba Province, Democratic Republic of the Congo. [Photo/sasac.gov.cn]
This change is due to the establishment of an industrial technical school, with complete facilities and top-notch teaching conditions, by a Chinese joint venture, creating a new path for vocational education integration in the local community.
Since the establishment of Kabada Village, there was no specialized technical school. Youngster in the community had to go to the nearby Kolwezi City to continue their studies, learn skills and find job opportunities.
The road to Kolwezi is rough and bumpy. Many young people are hesitant to study in Kolwezi because of the long journey and high tuition fees, so they only start odd jobs early to support their families.
"In the past, after graduating from junior high school, many students didn't want to study anymore and chose to work instead. However, without any special skills, they encountered obstacles and could only engage in some low-skilled jobs with low pay," said a local young man.
"A vocational and technical school that allows us to learn professional skills without leaving home has been the dream of many young people here," he said.
The Sino Congolaise des Mines (Sicomines), a Chinese majority joint venture established by Chinese enterprises, such as China Railway Group Limited and Power Construction Corporation of China, and Générale des Carrières et des Mines (GECAMINES), has helped local young people in Kabada realize their dream of having their own vocational and technical school.
The construction of the vocational school at Kabada community was listed as the first social responsibility project fulfilled by the company in the region.
The project started in October 2021 and it took only 10 months for Sicomines to complete the first phase of the construction of the school. By August 2022, the school began enrolling students and it currently has 206 students in two majors: electrical engineering and automotive repair. It has gradually become a vital base for training technically-minded talents in the Kabada community.
Sicomines also organized a variety of exchange activities with the technical school, sharing technical skills and knowledge and improving the comprehensive abilities of students.
Teachers and students of the school have been invited to visit the company's 220KV substation and automotive repair workshop to learn on-site. Experienced technicians from the company serve as lecturers, providing theoretical and practical instruction, and discussing with teachers and students about potential difficulties encountered in the relevant workplace and how to overcome them.
In addition to the school, Sicomines helped the Kabada community build a basketball court, a football field, a farmers' market, village roads, water supply systems and educational facilities. It also donated and installed a 500 kVA box-type substation, and provided agricultural machinery, including tractors and seeders, as well as maize seeds themselves.
"As long as we need help, Sicomines is always there and responds actively. They have implemented multiple projects for the Kabada community, and the company is our friend forever", said the head of Kabada Village in an interview with local media.
(Executive editor: Xie Yunxiao)
