German Technical School inaugurated

Kathmandu, October 4

Visiting German Vice-minister for Economic Development and Cooperation Norbert Barthle and Province 3 Chief Minister Dormani Poudel today inaugurated the German Technical School in Dhading.

GTS is a well-equipped technical institution set up by the Sheshkant Foundation in cooperation with German NGO Zukunft für Nepal Ostwürttemberg e.V. to provide technical and vocational education and training, in Dhunibesi Municipality of Dhading district.

The metal workshop hall of the GTS has been constructed under the financial assistance of the German Federal Ministry of Economic Cooperation and Development together with VOITH, a German multinational corporation based in Heidenheim. Different companies and individuals from the German region Swabian Alb have supported this project that will ensure input from German Voith hydropower and other German firms, according to a press release issue by the Embassy of Germany in Kathmandu.

In Nepal, this project would be a pioneer in providing vocational training to the youth in order to meet high demand for professionals in Nepal’s hydropower sector. The school will train mechanics and metal workers in close collaboration with the hydropower industry of Nepal following a dual approach inspired by Germany’s vocational education and training system.

GTS will provide short-term courses (four to twelve months) as well as long-term courses (three years’ diploma), according to the press release.

“Vocational training has a long tradition in Germany. Young people are trained for jobs by providing them theoretical lessons as well as exposure to practice. Usually a student is affiliated with a company and is, therefore, paid a salary while being trained in the company. German investors believe that vocational training with a high degree of in-house training is the key to developing partnerships with Nepali industry,” read the press release.