Leo Trading launches youth apprenticeship program

Leo Trading has partnered with Ministry of Higher Education to launch a youth apprenticeship program.

The national-scale program, will proceed with the collaboration of Maldives National Skills Development Authority (MNSDA) and Maldives Polytechnic as well.

The program will be held at Leo Trading's work sites at industrial island, Thilafushi.

Participants will receive allowances through the apprenticeship program, where they will be working at Leo Trading's store, warehouse, workshop and dockyard.

Earlier on Wednesday last week, officials of MNSDA, Polytechnic and the Higher Education Ministry had visited to assess Leo's work sites in Thilafushi.

Following the assessment trip, State Minister of Higher Education Ahmed Shafeeu said Leo possessed a wide range of equipment and facilities capable of executing mega projects.

Shafeeu, while highlighting the technical progress of the company, said MNSDA and Polytechnic will be planning similar programs with Leo Trading towards capacity development.

"If we are to list the industries in the Maldives, Leo covers over 80 percent of the professions. We also observed several professions at Leo's work sites of which we had not identified the skill sets previously, which we intend to include in the future programs. While the job opportunities through Leo is rich, these would be made available in the job market," Shafeeu added.

Managing Director of Leo Trading, Abdulla Sawad said the company is committed in providing career opportunities for locals, and highlighted the company's scholarship opportunities and academic sponsorship to develop future professionals.

The apprenticeship will facilitated certificate-level training.

Leo is also working to establish a training intitution that would provide special technical licenses of Leo's international partners.

The company is currently involved in developing the largest training institution owned by a private entity. The 43,000-square-foot commercial training institution is being developed at Thilafushi.

Besides this, Leo said an accommodation facility will be developed to provide lodging for the students attending the training facility.