HF wants curriculum for artisans made more practical

Housing and banking services firm HF Group #ticker:HFCK has called for a review of the training curriculum for artisans.

The bank said the present curriculum that emphasizes theoretical learning as opposed to practical work experience adversely affects employability of graduates from technical training institutes.

Through its corporate social responsibility entity, HF Foundation, the lender called for the fast-tracking of the review to incorporate mandatory practical learning in the workplace based on sector- specific occupational standards that focus on competency rather than examinations.

“The slow pace of the adoption and curriculum development of industry-driven occupational standards has been a big challenge. We find that most of them (trainees) lack confidence and even communication skills,” said HF Foundation’s senior programme manager Caroline Sikasa.

“Internship sessions enable trainees to build their work ethics as well as meet potential future employers and it is upto the Curriculum Development Assessment and Certificate Council (CDACC) to act fast.”

READ: HF Group gives 60 construction graduates skills

Ms Sikasa spoke during award of certificates to 72 artisans sponsored by HF Foundation in partnership with the German Corporation for International Development (GIZ).

The 72 artisans undertook internship training in masonry, plumbing, building and construction as well as electrical installation.

The forum now in its 4th  year targets to have trained 450 technical graduates by end of this year.

The initiative follows HF Group’s realisation that its housing projects have been suffering from a shortage of qualified artisans. This prompted the firm to launch ‘the million artisans’ goal where they sponsor trainees undertaking technical training in various institutes for the three-month course at its building sites.