Successful graduates of the Housing Development Corporation (HDC)’s Apprenticeship Program have been awarded certificates.

On Wednesday, over 70 apprentices were presented certificates at a special event held at Villa College’s QI campus.

Gardening, masonry work, welding methods, plumbing, carpentry, electrical installation and maintenance, heavy vehicle operation, building maintenance, construction site management, and refrigeration and air-conditioning are among the disciplines in which apprentices were taught under the program.

Speaking during the occasion, HDC’s Managing Director Ahmed Athif stated that the program’s goal was to teach locals for sectors that are now in high demand in the Maldives so that they may replace foreign labor.

“[Our aim is] to train the 3,000 workers to fulfill the government target,” Athif added.

Athif emphasized that HDC gives as many graduates as possible possibilities to work as permanent employees.

The guest of honor at the ending ceremony, Minister of Youth, Sports, and Community Empowerment Ahmed Mahloof, expressed satisfaction that the majority of participants completed the program.

He stated his view that such programs will boost the likelihood of local kids getting solid jobs.

The HDC Apprenticeship Program was carried out in partnership with the Youth Ministry and the Economic Ministry as part of the government’s National Apprenticeship Program.

The initiative was overseen by the Maldives Institute of Technology (MIT). With the completion of the Apprenticeship Program, HDC has essentially become the state-owned enterprise with the greatest number of adolescents trained.