A 'finishing school' for job hunters looking to go abroad is coming up in Kerala to give a range of handy tips -- from English and industrial training to operating a washing machine and first aid.
It is being hoped that the school would give job seekers from the state that extra edge when they go abroad, primarily to the West Asia, whether as industry workers or domestic helps.
A memorandum of understanding (MoU) has already been signed between the Non-Resident Keralites Affairs Department (NORKA) and the School of Communications and Management Studies (SCMS) in Alwaye near Kochi.
"The SCMS would partner our efforts and the school is expected to be launched in March," NORKA secretary Jiji Thompson told the agency.
NORKA is the state run body that looks after the interests of all NRKs.
There are about 1.7 million Keralites working abroad, of which close to 90 percent are in the West Asia. Of them, 60 percent are engaged in unskilled and semi-skilled jobs and it is this section that the school will target.
"Though there are some private institutes that conduct professional courses for nurses who are going to the US and Britain, we have found that they are not that equipped. So at SCMS we will begin classes with trained faculty and all the necessary infrastructure like proper laboratories," Thompson said.
{{/usCountry}}"Though there are some private institutes that conduct professional courses for nurses who are going to the US and Britain, we have found that they are not that equipped. So at SCMS we will begin classes with trained faculty and all the necessary infrastructure like proper laboratories," Thompson said.
{{/usCountry}}The school would also give professional experience to technical job seekers, especially those aiming for the oil and refinery sectors.
"Cochin Refineries has agreed to give training to all those who have passed basic courses in industrial training. The training would be held in batches and would extend to a minimum period of three months. This is going to be a major boost for those looking for jobs in the West Asia in this sector," said Thompson.
And for women above 35 looking for jobs as domestic help, there would be short-term courses on child care, first aid, cooking, operating washing machines and electrical equipment and basic English.
"This is one area where our women are beaten by those from Philippines," said Thompson.
The agreement with SCMS was first initiated at the time of the Global Investors Meet at Kochi in January 2003.