EVE BURNS
Families, friends and supporters gathered at the Waan Aelon in Majel program last month to witness the latest successful graduation for the program’s long-term life and vocational skills training program.
The WAM vocational training is known for helping young adults getting back to school or getting into the work force. The program combines classroom studies, hands-on vocational skills development, and life skills — everything from how to write a resume to opening a bank account.
On display during the graduation ceremony were model outrigger canoes and coconut graters (raanke) hand crafted by the graduates. In addition, the youthful graduates were involved in the ongoing construction of the new WAM training center and office building. As a memento for posterity, they placed their palm prints and names along one of the roof support beams.
The training program started with 25 trainees as usual, but ended up with 21 graduating, said Associate Director Tony Alik. Of the 21 graduates, five were female.
“After graduation, sixteen of them were enrolled in (CMI’s) Adult Basic Education (high school equivalency program) for further education this coming semester, two are actively looking for work to support their families, two want to join the Job Corps, and one wants to migrate,” said Alik.
Of the four who “dropped out” of the training, “three of them we actually encouraged to pursue other avenues,” said Alik. “A month into the training, two of our trainees were inspired to go back to school as they already finished high school from Jaluit High School, so we helped them to get back to CMI. The other one got offered a job at Home Garden, which we gladly encouraged him to accept it as he applied for it before joining WAM.” One trainee simply stopped showing up.
The next training group will begin January 20. The current WAM life and vocational skills training program is World Bank-funded through the National Training Council. “The project funds a total of three cohorts, two more this year to go,” said Alik.