By Captain Haydn Barlow

ELEVEN more local Afghan men from Oruzgan Province have graduated from the increasingly-popular Australian-run Trade Trading School based in Tarin Kowt.

The students received their graduation certificates and gifts from Commander TF-U, Colonel V. Griensven and the 1st Reconstruction Task Force Commander, Lieutenant Colonel Mick Ryan.

From tentative beginnings, they graduate capable of not only effectively employing a variety of hand and power tools, but are also able to use these skills to make their own furniture, potentially selling them at the bazaar. In addition to the training, friendships are forged amongst students and trainers in the ongoing process of developing a unified, safer and more stable Afghanistan.

A number of group and individual projects are conducted during the course, progressing in complexity as their skills develop. Graduating student, Walli-Ullha, noted the sense of satisfaction he felt on completion of his individual saw stool. He is now looking forward to building on the skills he has learnt and returning to school where he can show off his carpentry work.

Another student and Afghanistan National Army soldier, Allah-Nazar, proudly stated to the crowd that “this is for the country of Afghanistan” when presented his graduation certificate. Allah-Nazar’s enthusiasm rubbed off on one of his class mates, who said he would now join the Army and hopefully receive more training as a military engineer from the Australians.

This was the final class for the school’s pioneering leader, Warrant Officer Class Two John Watson. He is nearing the end of his tour now and will pass on the helm to a fellow Australian Engineer, Warrant Officer Class Two Shane Johnsson. WO2 Watson says he is proud of his soldiers’ achievements and really hopes the young men he has trained are able to use it to their advantage in the future.

“We get some skilled and some unskilled students but at the end of the course, they all walk out of here with another option in life, a bunch of good friends, and some of their handy work to flash around town and be proud of.

“I like to call it getting them off the ground. We provide the students with the skills to build tables, chairs and beds at home and if they can do this for their family and friends, then that is a lot of people we have helped progress in life. It’s all about the Afghans helping Afghans in the end,” WO2 Watson said.

WO2 Watson also sees potential for the course to grow in time and expand the skill sets that the students gain.

“We already do three days on basic generator maintenance which includes electrical safety, but there is a potential to expand into basic plumbing and sewerage as well. These kinds of skills can really benefit the community in a number of ways such as health and sanitation which is one of the priorities here.”

This was the ninth course that the Australians have completed in the past five months, with nearly 50 students trained during that time. A number of the students in earlier courses have been subsequently employed as local trainers, providing a steady income and valuable experience in teaching.

MORE: Operation Slipper website