Chimi Dema | Tsirang
It is hoped that with 21 youth in Patshaling trained on basic construction carpentry skills recently, there would not be shortage of skilled workers for community contract work in the locality.
The gewog administrative officer, Yeshey Rinzin, said that equipping youths with carpentry skills was to prepare skilled workers for public construction work in the future.
“If our youths could take up the work, it can ease labor shortage in the community, as well as provide employment opportunities for them,” he said.
The month-long training was also aimed at engaging youths actively in planning, implementing and monitoring activities for local development.
The youth were trained to make door, window and cornice. They were also trained in making furniture.
One of the trainees, Ashay Bdr. Rai, is an employee of a furniture unit in Patshaling maed. “This training helped me boost my confidence in taking up building construction,” he said.
The 29-year-old carpenter said that should the gewog tender any public construction work, he and his group is prepared to take it up.
The lone woman participant, Kinley Gyem, said had plans to form a group with other participants and enhance her skills further.
Another trainee, Sisir Gurung, said that the training equipped him with skills in making household furniture.
Training was funded by Helvetas Bhutan. A similar pilot project was conducted in Semjong gewog last year.
Patshaling Gup Chabi Kumar Rai said that interested youth have already registered with Bhutan Build Project.