Swiss Embassy at the Best Apprentice Day 2021 organized at the RA President’s Residence

Article, 15.12.2021

"I am convinced that vocational education, which is work-based and addresses the demand of the labor market, is a right thing to do. Switzerland is internationally at the forefront of such an approach, which combines technical education in schools with practical experience in companies," said Werner Thut at the "Best Apprentice" award ceremony held at the Residence of the President of the Republic of Armenia. 

Chargé d’Affaires a.i. of the Swiss Embassy Werner Thut delivers a speech at the Best Apprentice Day 2021
Chargé d’Affaires a.i. of the Swiss Embassy Werner Thut delivers a speech at the Best Apprentice Day 2021 © Embassy of Switzerland in Armenia

On 14 December, 2021, the Chargé d’Affaires a.i. of the Embassy of Switzerland in Armenia and equally the Deputy Regional Director of Swiss Cooperation South Caucasus Werner Thut participated to the "Best Apprentice" award ceremony, upon invitation of the Presidency.

The ceremony was organized at the Residence of the RA President Armen Sarkissian, who delivered a welcome speech, saying, "I'm sure each of you has talent in some area. Professionalism is what you have to strive for over the years. It is a long way from talent to professionalism. That way, of course, is not easy. It takes dedication, love for a chosen profession, as well as many years of disciplined work."

RA President Armen Sarkissian delivers a welcome speech at the Best Apprentice Day 2021
RA President Armen Sarkissian delivers a welcome speech at the Best Apprentice Day 2021 © Office to the President of the Republic of Armenia

The event was held in the context of the "Apprenticeship Development in Armenia Based on Swiss Experience" project conducted by the Miassine Foundation. Werner Thut congratulated the graduates of the program, as well as the Miassine Foundation for its commitment to the enhancement of the Vocation Education System in Armenia.

Graduates of  “Apprenticeship Development in Armenia Based on Swiss Experience” project receiving their awards
Graduates of “Apprenticeship Development in Armenia Based on Swiss Experience” project receiving their awards © Office to the President of the Republic of Armenia

At the same time, Mr. Thut announced that the Swiss Development Cooperation Agency has recently launched a large project in Armenia between 2021 and 2030, which focuses on developing and modernizing the country’s Vocational Education System in agriculture. With a budget of almost CHF 10 mio between 2021 and 2025, the project will be carried by a unique alliance of international and local development actors, as well as public and private sectors. It aims to improve employment opportunities of youth living in rural areas by means of combining theoretical knowledge with practical training in a selected number of professions.

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