The founding of Fountain Gate Crafts & Trades School is the result of 3 years of intensive research and in-depth interactions with the Zambian Industry, existing Trades Schools and students of various trades. The Association of Building and Civil Engineering Contractors underwent this initiative in conjunction with the Chamber of Skilled Crafts, Frankfurt (Germany). 

 

As a result, it was decided, that only a more holistic view on vocational training will improve the situation. That can only be achieved if industry demands are not compromised. Hence the initiative to start a new, in depended and industry lead school.

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The Association of Building and Civil Engineering Contractors (ABCEC) collaborates with the Chamber of Skilled Crafts Frankfurt Rhine/Main in Germany since late 2017. The aim of that collaboration is to draw back industry into the vocational training activities and (re-)introduce dual vocational training components in Zambia.

 

Two trades were chosen for the pilot project: Electrical and Bricklaying / Formwork – 2-year craft certificates. For both trades it was intended to verify if a curriculum adjustment / update would be necessary and to building an interlinked training situation with industry.

 

As implementing partnership for the training concepts and activities, ABCEC initially chose the Thorn park Construction Training Centre, which was originally founded by ABCEC in the 90s. Over the course of time, it proved to be challenging to introduce all necessary changes into an existing organization.

 

Finally, it was decided by the Zambian Industry to found a new vocational training institution, where the learning’s of the pilot project could be implemented without compromise.

 

In October 2019 Fountain Gate Crafts & Trade School was incorporated as a non-for-profit vocational training institution.