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From the Midlands to Malawi...
From the Midlands to Malawi...local construction experts asked to ‘put their skills to the test’ in Africa.
It’s not every day a job opportunity in Southern Africa becomes available to someone in the construction industry in the West Midlands. However, Walsall based charity, Krizevac Project, is appealing to anyone with skills in operating construction plant machinery to offer up their experience to train locals in a small township of Malawi.
With building work very much in focus in Chilomoni, a densely populated urban area of Malawi, there is an urgent need to train local people in various construction skills that will aid in the development of the towns infrastructure and also equip them for future employment opportunities.
Says Krizevac Project UK Coordinator, George Furnival: “This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to experience a whole new way of life in Africa and pass on some essential skills to the local workforce in Chilomoni.
“One of our current projects in the town requires experienced Plant Operators to train a local workforce in the safe and effective use of a range of construction plant and machinery. We have already shipped JCB's, graders and a whole range of other plant and construction tools out to Malawi, initially to support our own construction programme, but with a view to the equipment generating income for the local community. Now we just need to find the experts to help us with the training. ”
In order to provide the best training expertise, the charity has formed a partnership with Hewlett and its training centre at i54 in Wolverhampton. Hewlett will provide top quality training to enhance the skills of the new recruits before they are flown out to Malawi where they will help to transform lives by passing on the invaluable skills.
The project is creating two jobs for experienced plant operators, who will be jointly employed by Hewlett and Krizevac Project. After an initial six month period attending 'train the trainer training' at Hewlett’s i54 training centre, the new recruits will fly out to Malawi for a further six months, where they will train the local workforce in the use of construction machinery.
Continues George Furnival: “The charity takes a longer-term view by only developing projects at the request of the local community, and that these should be built using voluntary local labour. For this to be successful we need experts from our own shores and we hope there are people out there who will read this, see what a great opportunity it is and get in touch.”
Currently the Krizevac Project is helping to create quality training facilities, staff housing and volunteers’ accommodation and the building work will continue as the charity aims to build a children’s centre that will help Chilomoni’s youngest residents have the best possible start in life.
When in Malawi the recruits will be housed along with some of the projects volunteers at Mitsidi- a beautiful wooded area with 16 small houses. There are cooks, cleaners, a swimming pool and gym all designed to make life a little more comfortable for the amazing people who all work so hard for the project beneficiaries.
On return to the UK the Plant Operator Trainers will be re-interviewed by Hewlett with a real possibility of extending the contract for more than just one year.
Training Manager at Hewlett Civil Engineering, Steve Vickers comments: “Malawi is one of the poorest countries in Southern Africa, and there is a massive shortage of skilled labour there.
“The Krizevac Project is helping change lives in Chilomoni and when they approached Hewlett about providing training support we were only too happy to help. In these troubled economic times, this is potentially a life changing opportunity for someone looking for a new challenge in their career.”
Applicants will need to have at least five years operator or trainer experience. For further information about the position please contact the UK Coordinator George Furnival by email to info@krizevac.org before 3/11/2010 or call 0845 0036004.