
Issue No 118		02 November 2001

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News

East Timor Training Centre Copmpleted

The Australian construction industry this week celebarted the completion of the East Timor Vocational Education Centre in Dili.

The East Timor Vocational Education Centre was funded by donations from Australian building companies, the development community and Australia's largest construction union, the CFMEU.

After playing a leading role in community campaigning in support of East Timorese independence, the Australian construction industry union made a commitment to assist in the reconstruction of East Timor.

This assistance has taken the form of the East Timor Vocational Education Training Project. Fourteen companies and industry bodies joined with the CFMEU and APHEDA in raising A$250,000 for the project, which includes as a major component the construction of a vocational training centre in Dili.

The name of the training centre is Knua Buka Hatene - the Tetum name means "a community place of learning". There are two other smaller components of the project, equipment for a technical high school and the development of carpentry workshop cooperatives in rural areas. The official launch of the project took place in June 2000.

The funds raised have enabled the construction of Stage 1 of Knua Buka Hatene to proceed. Construction of the Centre is due to be completed in early November - the centre will be formally opened on 23 November 2001. Stage 1 will be an independent multi-functional training and resource centre for literacy, information technology, English as a second language, carpentry and occupational health and safety, managed by a Board comprising of local Timorese partners.

With additional funding of A$30-40,000 we hope to construct Stage 2 of Knua Buka Hatene. Stage 2 comprises additional workshop space, which will enable more trainees to benefit from practical trades based training.

APHEDA, an accredited aid agency, is the organisation responsible for the in-country management of the project, including the liaison and co-ordination with local partner organisations and their project committees. The Australian Building Industry Sub-Committee (BISC), comprised of WALTER Construction Group, Multiplex, Leighton Contractors, CFMEU (National C&G Div), is the group which represents the donors and together with APHEDA meets regularly to monitor the project.

In the long term, the East Timor Vocational Education Training Project reflects the hope that the Australian construction industry will be able to work in partnership with the people of East Timor.

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  Issue 118 contents

Interview: Flying High
ACTU Secretary Greg Combet on saving Ansett jobs, defeating Howard and wooing a new generation of unionists.

Corporate: Howard's List of Shame
ACTU President Shaharn Burrow runs through the litany of corporate collapses and down-sizes that have cut a swathe through the Australian community.

Campaign Diary: Week Four: The Battle Lines Drawn
It was a week that saw the leaders launch their campaigns, kiss lots of babies and battle for space with a Holy Jihad.

Industrial: Desperately Seeking Solutions
They might not call it 'industrial relations' in the spin of modern politics, but all the major parties have released plans that will affect the way we work over the next three years.

Economics: Manufacturing Prosperity
Neale Towart looks at the hidden debate of the election campaign - the degree of intervention government should take through Industry Policy.

History: War And Politics
The Conservatives are trying to wage war and win the election. The pundits say it�s a tried and true recipe for electoral success. The 1940 federal poll suggests otherwise.

International: Globalising Labour
On the eve of the International Metalworkers Federation Congress general secretary Marcello Malentacchi argues all nations need to retain a manufacturing base.

Review: Security - Who Needs it?
What does it mean to be secure? Should we even need to ask? In his new book, Anthony Burke asks the tough questions.

Satire: Locksmith Promises "Greater Security" If Elected
A Melbourne locksmith has agreed to run for federal parliament, campaigning on the key issue of security.

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» Shier's Famous Last Wordds

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» Entire Town Joins Nurses' Strike

» Some Good News in Orange Squeeze

» Train Drivers Call for Level Crossing Action

» Posties See Wage Rise By Christmas

» Howard Fails To Stem Workplace Deaths

» Greenpeace Activist Gets Union Support

» Hotel Workers Name Their Odds

» Airport Screeners Strike Over Work Value

» East Timor Training Centre Copmpleted

» NSW IR Act Due for Five Year Review

» Organiser of the Year Nominations Open

» Activists Notebook

» STOP PRESS: Jakarta Shangri-La Hotel Workers Fined US$2 million