Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- On 16 February 2024 a groundbreaking ceremony was held in Urgench city within KOICA’s project for "Establishment of vocational training center in Khorezm region, strengthening capacity for Establishing the National Skills testing and Certification system and establishment of Teachers’ Training Center in Uzbekistan". 

The event was attended by the Counselor-Envoy of the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Uzbekistan Kuk Jang Hyun, the First deputy Governor of Khorezm region Achilov Murodjon Azamatovich, Director of the KOICA Office in Uzbekistan Shin Myung Seop, representatives of the administration of Khorezm region, design and construction companies and others high-ranking officials.

Commissioning of the Urgench Vocational Training Center is planned in 2025 with 5 educational departments, including: electrical control, automobile maintenance, welding and plumbing, cosmetology and hotel service, with buildings covering a total area of 5693sq.m. The building design of the center was carried out by URBAN ARCHITEKTURE, and construction works will be carried out by ZAMAN BUILDING LLC. The total budget of the project is US14.0 million.

The Urgench project includes the construction of main and practical academic buildings and a dormitory, the provision and installation of modern high-tech equipment and tools, as well as the deployment of experts and technicians to ensure effective and high-quality training and smooth operation of the center. Through long-term and short-term courses, the Urgench Vocational Training Center will annually train over 300 qualified specialists in the fields of electrical control, automobile maintenance, welding and plumbing, cosmetology and hotel service.

“We express our gratitude to the Government of the Republic of Korea for having Korean experts train local specialists in the fields of their expertise for industrialization through human resource development. For its part, the Uzbek side will actively cooperate with Korean partners for the successful implementation of the project,” stated the First deputy Governor of Khorezm region Murodjon Achilov.

Counselor-Envoy of the Embassy of the Republic of Korea noted: “In the four vocational training centers that have to-date been established by KOICA in Uzbekistan, over 90% of graduates are successfully employed and they are recognized as the basis of further development of technical human resources. I hope that this project will contribute to strengthening the competitiveness of local industry through workforce development and will lead to increased incomes for local residents.

The project also provides for capacity-building for the creation of a National Technical Qualification and Teachers’ Training Institute. The opening of this teacher training center in Tashkent is planned for 2025, and the groundbreaking ceremony is planned for April of this year.

KOICA will continue to provide assistance in the field of vocational training and will make every effort to reduce unemployment and train highly qualified technical specialists through the implementation of TVET projects in Uzbekistan.