EDUCATION FOR A FUTURE
The teachers at Ecole Du Bois - EdB (School of Wood) are Cambodian tradesman who have received additional teacher training from volunteers from Canada and France. Students at EdB undergo a ten month course that combines both classroom theory and practical training in the workshop. Graduating students receive a certificate recognized by the Cambodian Ministry of Vocational Training and Labour.
The training program has the following Aims and Objectives:
Aim:
To provide disadvantaged young adults with high quality skills training in woodworking to enable them to gain employment.
Objectives:
While at École du Bois, students:
- Learn the necessary skills to produce high quality furniture and fittings
- Learn in a safe, healthy and supportive workshop environment
- Learn good work habits to improve self esteem and employability
- Develop confidence to work with machinery and hand tools safely
- Gain an understanding of environmental issues related to the wood industry
- Understand their rights as employees as demonstrated by ESK as an ethical employer
EdB is a residential school and there is no charge for the training. All employees and students receive free dormitory style accommodation, 3 meals a day, are covered by accident insurance and have access to evening French language classes if desired.
Since the first group of students completed their training in 2010, 100% of EdB graduates have found employment. Students that have completed the training course at EdB are in high demand with most being offered employment well before they graduate. The best of the graduates are offered further training within the EdB workshop where they receive a competitive salary in line with EdB's philosophy of fair and ethical employment practice.
To date about fifty students have graduated from EdB. They are thus able to assist support their families and hopefully look back with fond memories on their time spent at the school. Even the few students who did not complete the course (mainly for disciplinary reasons) have found employment within the wood sector. About 350 people have directly or indirectly benefited from the program including staff, students, local youth who have received free French language lessons, local suppliers and the local economy in general.
We are proud of this collective success. The quality of the program has been recognized by the Ministry of Labour and Vocational Training who have acknowledged that it exceeds their requirements.
EdB regularly receives inquiries from industry requesting information on the availability of interns and graduates.