Iran, Armenia Initiate Joint Cooperation in ‘Skill Diplomacy’

In a joint meeting held between Minister of Labor and Social Affairs of the Republic of Armenia Narek Mkrtchyan and Iran’s Deputy Minister of Labor, Cooperatives and Social Welfare Mehrdad Azimi in Karaj on Tuesday, the two sides emphasized the need for strengthening cooperation in the field of ‘skill diplomacy’.

Presently, many developed countries are seeking to acquire and present training and internship courses aimed at training skilled workers and meeting the demand for the required manpower in their market, the head of Iran Technical and Vocational Training Organization (TVTO) said.

In recent years, Iran has tried to provide efficient and competent manpower by relying on skill training, he said, adding, “In this regard, job seekers and the graduates have been hired within the framework of skill training courses”

However, implementation of the National Skill Movement has been put on the agenda of the ministry, Azimi stared.

During the meeting, the two sides emphasized the need for developing bilateral cooperation in the field of presenting skill training commensurate with the requirements of the country’s labor market.

In addition, they stressed the need to establish a specialized technical and vocational training center and use the capacity of the public sector to hold a bilateral festival to introduce the skills of trainees to the economic enterprises, etc.

Iran’s deputy labor minister further termed the visit of the Armenian labor minister to Iran as a turning point in developing and expanding relations between the two countries.

Armenia’s labor minister, for his part, said that the diversity of Iran's services and skill capacities is the main reason for his country's keenness to expand cooperation with Iran.

Armenia is seeking to launch a technical and vocational training center in Syunik province, located in southern part of Armenia, Mkrtchyan said, adding that Iran’s TVTO is equipped with the valuable experiences that can help Armenia to settle problems in the field of skill training. / Tasnim