ArmInfo.Two Development Centres aimed at increasing the English and generic Employability skills of 17-20 years old students opened at Masis Agricultural College of Masis town in Ararat region of Armenia. The opening of the Centres took place within the scope of “English and Employability Skills for Career Development” project financed by “HSBC Bank Armenia” CJSC. The project is implemented by the British Council in Armenia and supported by the RA Ministry of Culture and Sciences.

The launching ceremony of the Development Centres’ took place on 20 February at Masis Agricultural College, attended by Paul Edgar, Chief Executive Officer, HSBC Bank Armenia, Artak Aghbalyan, Head of Vocational Education and Training Department at the RA Ministry of Education and Sciences, and British Council Armenia country director Arevik Saribekyan.

“English and Employability Skills for Career Development” project envisages supporting the employability of VET college students living in regions by equipping them with the skills and competencies to enter the job market and improve the English as one of the core skills for employability.

Along with funding the project, with “HSBC Bank Armenia” additional funding two classrooms of the Agricultural college were fully renovated to function as Development Centres.

To realise the project, the Centres will offer extracurricular courses English for Work and Employability Skills to the immediate students of the respective colleges in these Development Centres. The project also aims supporting the beneficiaries with post-project internship opportunities partnering with local career advisor and development agencies as well as organising a job fair.

“At HSBC, we believe that education is key to the success in the global economy. We feel responsible not only to our customer, employees, and shareholders but also to the countries and communities in which we operate. As part of our corporate social responsibility strategy we are focused on the development of future skills and employability. The “English and Employability Skills for Career Development” project is one of the best illustrations of this commitment. Finally, the project is even more important as it focuses on communities outside Yerevan, providing young people with opportunities that they otherwise will not get”- said Chief Executive Officer, HSBC Bank Armenia Paul Edgar.

Artak Aghbalyan, Head of Vocational Education and Training Department at the RA Ministry of Education and Sciences said: “The RA Ministry of Education and Sciences has approved the idea of introducing a new position of career planning advisors in educational institutions. Along with these Development Centres, they will guide the students to choose career paths and find a job. By gaining new skills in these Centres, English in particular, the students will find their place in the job market more easily”. 

“Since its foundation, the main mission of the British Council has been building connections around the world through education and culture as well developing deep and long-lasting relationships. The English language teaching plays a pivotal role in this, and I do hope that students enrolled in these Centres will have more opportunities to communicate with the world. Apart from that, the skills they acquire in these Centres will help them to be more competitive in the job market,” added British Council Armenia country director Arevik Saribekyan.

Earlier, two Development Centres were opened in Ararat Regional State College in Artashat town, In total, around 300 students will benefit from the project, out of which 80 are enrolled in the English and 210 – in the Employability Skills Courses.

To coordinate the Centres’ activities, British Council Armenia has trained 11 English language teachers and 5 trainers for delivering Employability Skills courses.  

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HSBC Holding plc

HSBC Holding plc, the parent company of the HSBC Group, is headquartered in London. The Group serves customers worldwide from around 3,800 offices in 66 countries and territories in Europe, Asia, North and Latin America and the Middle East and North Africa. With assets of US$2,603bn at 30 September 2018, HSBC is one of the world’s largest banking and financial services organizations.

HSBC in Armenia

HSBC Bank Armenia cjsc was established in 1996. The bank is a joint venture between the HSBC Group, which has 70 per cent ownership, and members of overseas Armenian businesses with 30 per cent ownership. HSBC Armenia serves around 30 000 customers through eight offices located in Yerevan and around 406 employees. The bank has assets of AMD 283 billion as of 30 September 2018.

The British Council

The British Council is the UK’s international organisation for cultural relations and educational opportunities. We work with over 100 countries in the fields of arts and culture, English language, education and civil society. Last year we reached over 75 million people directly and 758 million people overall including online, broadcasts and publications.

We make a positive contribution to the countries we work with – changing lives by creating opportunities, building connections and engendering trust. Founded in 1934 we are a UK charity governed by Royal Charter and a UK public body. We receive 15 per cent core funding grant from the UK government.