By A. Al Bahrani
Gulf Region South district

Lt. Col. Humberto Ramirez, GRS Basra Area Office deputy commander, and Todd Harter, GRS construction representative, discuss the construction progress at the Al Basra Institute for Vocational Training renovation project with Iraqi project engineers. GRD photo by A. Al Bahrani.

Funded by the Commander’s Emergency Relief Program, the $2.5 million Al Basrah Institute for Vocational Training renovation project is being managed by the Gulf Region Division, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in Iraq.

“The renovation project will have a big impact for Basrah Community,” said Todd Harter, Gulf Region South Basrah Area Office construction representative. “The aim of the project is to provide the residents of Basrah a modern vocational training center that will offer a positive learning environment to train students for many years.”

The skills learned at the center will enable the students to find better paying jobs, Harter said, and the additional wages will allow them to spend more money in the shops and area markets.

In addition, Harter said, “The graduates of the training center will provide a greater skilled pool of workers for companies to choose from in the area. Companies will be able to hire graduates and be assured that they are training properly.”

Built in 1976, the Al Basrah Institute for Vocational Training was completely unusable after 2003.

“All the buildings, warehouses, (and) classrooms were in very bad condition and there were not enough rooms for all the students who want to join the training center,” said Sabtee Thamer Al A’mara, the center’s headmaster.

“The center was able to accommodate about 400 students, but when completed we hope this number will increase to 1,000,” Al A’mara said.

“In addition to welding, carpentry, electric, plumbing, auto mechanics, and masonry classes, we are planning to include new computer, electronics, English and air conditioning and refrigeration courses,” Al A’mara said.

The renovation work includes demolishing the existing facilities, and constructing a new building, complete with all electrical, plumbing and mechanical equipment, Harter said. The project also includes a new backup diesel generator with an automatic transfer switch and transform, landscaping, and fence work.

The renovation project is scheduled to be completed in November.