District 9560 offers this program to open opportunities to our Timor Leste neighbours

Introduction

The purpose of this program is to provide an opportunity for young adults from Timor-Leste to enhance their vocations

Whereas Rotary conducts other programs such as Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA), Youth Exchange (YEP), and Rotaract, NGVT is designed specifically with a focus on literacy and education and skills development in relation to the vocation of the participant.

New Generations Vocational Training usually last from a few weeks to three months, making this a suitable option for recent secondary school graduates, young professionals, and Rotaractors.

The Vocational element of the NGVT is the difference between this initiative and the standard New Generations Service Exchange.

Care is taken at interview to ensure the selection is based on merit, economic circumstances, and community development needs. Upon selection, and understanding the vocational needs of the applicant, placement in an educational facility or workplace appropriate to their particular area of expertise will be provided.

Whilst the experience will include a cultural element and value, the aim is to enhance the participant’s vocational skills for the benefit of their communities.

As is the case with all such endeavours, funding is a key factor and Rotary clubs are encouraged to support the initiative, however a Global Grant will provide certainty rather than total dependence upon District support. Clubs are encouraged to participate by way of the hosting a team member.

This initiative responds to one of the Rotary Foundation’s key areas of focus – Community economic Development. Timor-Leste is a poor country and as our neighbour, its citizens need our support through the presence of Rotary. Areas of need are determined by Timor-Leste Rotary clubs and given to the NGVT Committee to identify appropriate training facilities throughout the District.

Beginning with a Pilot program in 2017, ten participants have now completed the exchange with six more candidates selected for 2020. Although the experience is just 8 weeks, the impact and value to the participants has been demonstrated by testimonials from each of them.

Training experiences to date include the following vocations:

Hospitality, Motor Mechanical, Social Worker, Tourism, Medical surgery, Medical General Practice, Medical Hospital procedures, Nursing, Midwifery.

There is no cost to the participants, which includes visas, airfares, accommodation, vocational placement, and transport. $1,500 was the average cost per team member for the exchange experience in past years.

When we have competed selection of participants and placements, we will call upon clubs across District 9560 to host the participants.

Clubs will want to know who they are before deciding if they can find them a suitable placement where they will learn skills and a rotary family to host them.