Chinese company Citic Ltd is helping train young Angolans that find it hard to pay for academic and professional education. So said Figo Han, Deputy Director-General of the BN-Angola Vocational Training Centre, which is managed by the Citic Group.

Speaking to Angolan news agency Angop, Mr Han said that the training courses give graduates the needed expertise in different fields, allowing them to enter the labour market.

“We have several projects in a number of provinces [in Angola] and we need Angolan technicians,” said the official.

Citic’s vocational training centre was inaugurated in May 2014 by Angolan Vice President, Manuel Vicente, and China’s Premier, Li Keqiang.

A total of 107 professionals have so far graduated in the areas of construction, electricity and machine operation, Mr Han told Angop. The courses last a year, including a three-month internship at Citic Group companies.

Apart from technical training, students receive instruction in Portuguese, English and Chinese language skills, as well as in other skills that should help them in the jobs market.

The Citic Group operates in several areas, including financial services, resources and energy, manufacturing, engineering contracting, real estate and infrastructure. In Angola, the company is involved in social housing projects and programmes for the development of the agricultural sector.