CSCEC funds the establishment of the Zhongli Vocational Training Center

Project narrative

In April 2010, the Libyan branch of China State Construction Engineering Corporation (CSCEC) and the Ministry of Labour of Libya signed an agreement on the establishment of the Zhongli Vocational Training Center, a joint career development center located in Benghazi, Libya. The source of funding for the center is unclear, but it appears that CSCEC itself provided financing. It was hoped that the training center would provide training, educational, and vocational skills for Libyans to work in Chinese enterprises. It was also expected to improve the local employment rate, and improve Libya's economic development. The establishment of the vocational training center would allow CSCEC to come into compliance with Libyan labor law, meet its contractual obligations, and recruit and train local employees. The grand opening of the center was held on July 22, 2010 after a brief period of trial training earlier that month. As of July 2010, the training center had 5 Chinese managers, 3 Libyan managers, 5 Chinese teachers, 11 Libyan teachers, and 300 Libyan students. In October, the first batch of three-month long vocational skills training for 193 students was successfully completed. In November 2010, 175 trainees who qualified were awarded a certificate of completion and to be employed by CSCEC. The training center had completed the enrollment of the second batch of about 500 students and planned to begin instruction in the near future.