Founded 2003 Location Geneva, Switzerland | Type Education Foundation Website ftefoundation.org | |
The Foundation for Technical Education (FTE) is a philanthropic organization based in Geneva, Switzerland that provides the tools and skills needed for young people to achieve successful careers in the technical field.
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Overview
Francis Brochon, a French electronics engineer and entrepreneur, founded FTE in 2003 in recognition that many developing nations lack skilled, qualified technicians capable of mastering the modern technologies rapidly being developed. FTE’s resources are dedicated to developing sustainable and industry aligned education solutions to address this skills shortage.
FTE works with developing countries that are in need of technical training and where its impact will be most effective. Bringing a comprehensive, practical, relevant and high-quality learning experience to students in developing economies, its programmes provide the foundational skills students need to succeed in their technical careers and create value for employers and society. FTE has forged strong relations with Tanzania through its pilot training facility KIITEC and is committed to providing the tools to strengthen technical education resources in the East Africa Region.
The FTE Education Model
Through in-country collaborations, FTE supports hands-on learning programmes using state-of-the-art equipment and training facilities to correspond with the emerging technology based trends and needs of the people and economies in developing nations. FTE has developed a 5-step education model emphasizing the development of employable skills needed for a successful career as a technician.
The five principles of the FTE Education Model are:
- Learning-by-doing: Student-centred training using modern learning technologies
- Best of both: Local teachers with international skills training
- Filling a need: Alignment with labour market demands
- Doers, not nerds: Business management and entrepreneurship skills training
- Meritocracy wins: Merit-based scholarships for young men and women
KIITEC
The Kilimanjaro International Institute for Telecommunications, Electronics and Computers (KIITEC) is the successful pilot education project introduced by FTE in 2004 that encompasses all five principles of the FTE Education Model.
Based in Arusha, Tanzania, KIITEC is a leading technical education centre supplying skilled and competent technicians to meet the needs of local industries. KIITEC is registered and accredited by the National Council for Technical Education (NACTE). Successful graduates are awarded a 3-year National Technical Award Level Six (NTA-6) Diploma.
With only 32 students accepted each year, a targeted learning environment is ensured with specialized programming offering one-to-one guidance in internship placement, job seeking, entrepreneurial start-ups and mentoring.
Today, FTE works in collaboration with its partner ADEI who oversees and executes the on the ground actions of KIITEC through volunteering initiatives.
Scaling Up
With the Education Model in place, FTE is entering into a new phase of expansion based on expert, on the ground experiences and trusted local relationships. FTE’s goal is to increase its impact and sustainability with the local populations by expanding its education model first across the East African region and then beyond. Negotiations are underway in Kenya, Zambia, Rwanda, Burundi and Uganda to work with existing technical education institutions in finding education solutions.
The FTE Education Model relies on shared responsibilities based on international expertise but local ownership, entrusting the coordination and management to the local leadership team of the schools.
International Partners and Sponsors
Sharing knowledge and resources, FTE works together with like-minded organizations to develop long-term, strategic partnerships that combine targeted technical skills and a commitment to scale and replication with volunteering in education. To date, partnerships have been fostered with: