In
June 2007, the Armenian Sisters of the Immaculate Conception embarked
on the construction of a Youth Development Center on the grounds of
Our Lady of Armenia Boghossian Educational Center in Gyumri, Armenia.
The construction works were completed in June 2009. The complex includes
an all-purpose room to be used as a theatre with capacity for 400 people
and as a basket-ball and volley-ball court, and a vocational school
with classrooms and workshops. The Diramayr Vocational School aims to
improve the quality of life, the psychological and physical well-being
as well as the socio-economic security of disadvantaged youth. |
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The
vocational school collaborates with Fondation d’Auteuil and Groupement
des Retraites Educateurs sans Frontières (GREF) (Groupement des
Retraités Educateurs sans Frontières) of France to implement
the project consisting of imparting theoretical knowledge and practical
skills in the following professions: culinary arts and restaurant service,
computer design, electrical technology and plumbing. Both organizations
are involved in the training of teachers, the set-up of the workshops
and supervision of the programs. |
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specialists from France have already committed themselves to begin classes
in the French language and Electrical Technology during the first months
of 2010. |
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| Goal |
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The
Goal of Diramayr Vocational school project is to empower, annually,
some 50 orphans and teenagers at risk to acquire vocational skills
to make a career in a specific technical field, in order to become
independent and secure individuals.
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| Objectives |
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The
Diramayr Vocational School project pursues the following objectives:
1. To impart theoretical knowledge and practical skills,
on a yearly basis, to some 50+ orphans and teenagers at risk from
state and private orphanages and needy youth
2. To develop work ethics and management skills through a series of
appropriate trainings;
3. To develop good language skills in order to facilitate communication
with partner organizations and foreign enterprises.
4. To establish contacts with other vocational institutions, technical
colleges, enterprises, construction firms and repair service shops.
5. To create long-lasting communication between the Fondation d’Auteuil
staff and GREF through regular formation programs and visits.
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vocational program is being developed with the assistance and direct collaboration
of the Fondation d’Auteuil and GREF, which have been providing the
necessary information for the design and acquisition of the equipment
for the workshops as well as the preparation of the teaching staff, and
the curriculum for the different professions. |
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| Delivery
approach |
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All
participants will select a Vocational program composed of series of
classes related to a specific trade to be completed in two years. Following
an assessment of employment opportunities and the demand in the employment
market the following professions will be offered in the DVS. |
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Culinary Arts and restaurant service |
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Computer Graphic design |
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Electrical technology |
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Plumbing |
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Student
Admission and Selection Process
A good selection process has been established to make sure that only serious
young people are admitted to the program. |
| Preparatory
courses |
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In
January 2010 the vocational school admitted applications for the preparatory
courses for the 2010-2011 academic years for interested youth in vocational
training 16 years and above. Based on interview results, 30 students were
enrolled in the preparatory courses of basic Armenian, Math, French and
Computer. The preparatory courses began on February 15 and will end on
June 15, 2010. The majority of current students are interested in computer
science and culinary arts. Upon successful completion of final exams,
the students will be admitted to the vocational school to study in a chosen
vocation. In order to increase the number of students in all four vocations,
new admission will be announced in September and students will be admitted
as a result of entrance exams. |
