USAID MISSION DIRECTOR TO PRESENT

CERTIFICATES TO CRAFTSMEN IN TESANJ

Sarajevo, January 9, 2007 - The U.S. Government, through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), is pleased to announce that USAID Mission Director Jane Nandy will present certificates to graduates of the Furniture Manufacturing Qualification Program.  The ceremony will be held on Wednesday, January 10, 2007, at 11:00 a.m. in the Secondary Technical School in Tesanj. A total of 114 wood processing and upholstery craftsmen from six wood processing and furniture companies from Tesanj, Usora and Doboj Jug will receive certificates. All media are invited to attend. 

          The USAID-supported Wood Processing and Forestry Cluster of the Central BiH region identified workforce development as a priority for the industry growth.  USAID provided financial support to the Tesanj Secondary Technical School to develop and deliver the Qualification Program.  In addition, USAID provided basic wood processing equipment for a test workshop.  

In a successful exercise of private-public partnership, six private wood processing companies from the Tesanj region, the Zenica-Doboj cantonal government and the Tesanj Municipality co-sponsored the project.  Wood processing cluster companies identified 127 workers suitable for vocational qualification program and a total of 114 candidates successfully graduated.

          USAID has supported the BiH wood processing and forestry cluster since 2004.  The aim is to encourage joint action in market research and connections, technology improvements, access to capital, and education and training.  This project is the first step in a comprehensive vocational qualification program for wood processing workers.