Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- The Uzcharmsanoat association held a meeting with representatives of the German Society for International Cooperation (GIZ). 

The main topic of the dialogue is the provision of practical and financial support in the training and retraining of personnel for the leather and footwear industry within the framework of the project “Support for the process of reform and modernization in the system of vocational education in Uzbekistan”, implemented by this organization in our country.

At the beginning of the meeting, the project manager and the national coordinator were provided with detailed information about the work carried out in the leather industry of our country for the training and retraining of personnel and the international cooperation established today to provide the industry with highly qualified specialists. There was also a presentation on the indicators of personnel demand in the industry.

It should be noted that today the leather and footwear industry requires more than 5,000 specialists. In particular, it was determined that enterprises need 4,300 tailors, 27 cutters, 241 marketers, 272 designers, 331 technologists. To meet these needs, the Association has organized training practice centers and short courses in the regions. At the enterprises, retraining of personnel is carried out according to the dual education system.

About 250 students study at special departments of 3 universities of our country. Another 150 students receive education in Turkey, England, Moscow, Belarus, St. Petersburg on the basis of joint programs with foreign universities.

During the dialogue, GIZ representatives expressed their proposals for close cooperation with the Association in the framework of a new project on vocational education and training in schools and vocational colleges. This program is designed for 2021-2025, its goal is to provide stable jobs through training, as well as to increase the income of the population of Uzbekistan.

To this end, representatives of the organization will visit a vocational training center in the Fergana region, proposed by the Association, and conduct a study - at what stages of the project it is possible to provide practical and financial support.

Another important aspect of the project is taking measures to achieve career growth by guiding students to professional growth in schools and vocational colleges, as well as establishing cooperation between industry and business, which is consonant with the development strategy of New Uzbekistan.

At the meeting, it was decided to sign a memorandum between the Uzcharmsanoat Association and GIZ in order to further expand cooperation within the framework of the project and strengthen bilateral relations in the field of training and retraining of qualified personnel for the leather and footwear industry.