By Sayyid Omar

Nearly 600 students, both male and female, have completed their vocational skills training in the Somali Regional State and recently sat for an exam designed to certify their professional capabilities. The certification, known as the COC, aims to ensure that graduates possess the necessary skills to excel in their chosen trades.

The Technical and Vocational College in Fiiq, located in the Erar region, organized and administered the exam, focusing on various practical skills. According to the college’s director, Mohamed Ugas, the exam was crucial in verifying the competency levels of the students in the fields they have studied.

“The students have been training in nine different skill areas, including garment making, plumbing, electrical work, animal health, livestock production, and natural resource management. The training period ranged from 45 days to six months,” said Ugas.

Among the participants were students from the Fiiq correctional facility, who were undergoing rehabilitation programs. This marks the first time the Technical and Vocational College in Fiiq has conducted such an exam, setting a precedent for future vocational skills certifications in the region.