(AFP Photo)
The German Arab Chamber of Commerce in Egypt recently initiated a new project that will help 150 workers in Luxor gain new skills in the field of construction.
Project manager Sadeq Magdi said the project aims to provide alternative job opportunities to Luxor’s labourers.
“As you can imagine, many have lost their jobs with the deteriorating tourism situation, so this is a chance for them to build new skills and actively seek another job,” he said.
Magdi stated the project is built on the “training of trainees” concept, with six Egyptian workers selected for training in Germany. Once they finish their course workshop, they will come back and pass on their skills to the selected 150 trainees.
The training will focus on four skills in the construction sectors: bricklaying, plastering, tiling and painting.
The project will be in collaboration with the Arab Contractors Company (ACC) who will provide 100 workers while the remaining 50 will be from the German Archeological Institute (DIA).
“Six workers have already spent three weeks in the chamber’s crafts and training centre (HBZ), and after three more weeks they will return to educate the rest,” Magdi said.
He added that the project has a budget of €250,000, with which “facilities and workshops will be built in Luxor to assist in the learning process.”
Magdi estimated that the project will be complete by the end of 2013. “Those trained will work in the ACC projects which will be centred in Luxor and south valley area.”
“We have a similar project in Cairo but on a bigger scale,” he added. “Around 1,000 workers, who will also finish their programme by the end of this year, were trained with the same concept we will use in the Luxor project.”
