MACL Begins National Apprenticeship Programme

Aligning with the administration’s pledge to provide employment opportunities for youth, the National Apprenticeship Programme has been initiated by the Maldives Airport Company Limited (MACL). During the inauguration ceremony held at Hulhule’ Island Hotel on the first of this month, the programme was endorsed by an agreement signed between the Ministry of Youth, Sports & Community Empowerment and MACL.

The agreement was signed on behalf of MACL by Deputy Managing Director, Ibrahim Thaha while the State Minister of the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Community Empowerment, Hussain Ismail represented the ministry during the signing. Under this programme, a total of 225 youths will be trained in 20 various fields. In the pilot phase, 75 individuals will complete the 6-month-long programme, comprising 50 MACL staff and 25 enrolled youths.

Once the programme is completed, participants will be awarded a level 3 certificate of the national standard set by the Maldives Qualifications Authority. The Apprenticeship program is further supported by the Ministry of Higher Education, Ministry of Youth, Sports and Community Empowerment and Maldives National Skill Development Authority and is in line with national competency standards.

Speaking at the ceremony, State Minister of the Ministry of Youth, Sports & Community Empowerment, Hussain Ismail said that although Maldives has ample job opportunities the lack of skilled youth poses a barrier to employment for many. This programme is tailored to ease this problem by providing training to youth who have been unable to meet the national educational standards for various reasons. Speaking further he remarked that once they complete the programme, it will create numerous youths trained in several technical fields and that they can be employed in such fields in the job market.

Under the Government’s Strategic Action Plan, the administration aims to train 3000 youths of both genders in various talents and make them ready for the competitive job market of the Maldives.