The Lebanese Organization for Studies and Training (LOST) has equipped the English language laboratories at 15 vocational public and private schools in Baalbeck-Hermel with 96 computers, 15 projectors, and 15 display screens. This donation comes within the framework of the Vocational Teachers’ Development (VTD) and capacity building project, which is being implemented by LOST in collaboration with War Child Holland and NUFFIC.
Dr. Ramy Lakkis, founder of LOST, described the importance of supporting the vocational sector, stating, “this equipment is necessary for the development of education, but it remains one of a set of elements that should work harmoniously and achieve integration in vocational education for the best results, starting with parents and teachers, students and management”. Based on the experience of the organization in the management of vocational schools and training centers, Dr. Lakkis stressed the need for these professional institutes to go beyond mere tutoring to bringing vocational education, job opportunities, and market access altogether. “Through our experience, we believe that before offering majors and students choosing among them, there must be a set of conditions such as conducting studies on market needs, in addition to seriously considering the students’ preferences”. He concluded by saying that it is necessary to build an interactive relationship between parents, students, institutes, and the private sector in order to ensure the largest number of job opportunities for graduates, which will allow the alleviation of problems, crises, and unemployment.
In turn, War Child Holland country director Don McPhee stressed the importance of interaction and cooperation between educational institutions and the private sector, and the need to study the market before choosing the profession. At last, Mr. McPhee hoped that the project will be renewed for the coming year saying that the success of the project is linked to the professors and the institutions they work in, in addition to their dedication and ability to develop the vocational sector. At the end of the event, the equipment was distributed to the managers of the centers and schools.
