Forward Operating Base Sharana, Afghanistan - Army engineers from Task Force Pacemaker conducted a skill labor workshop Jan. 21-28 teaching basic construction skills, aiding Afghan workers in becoming more marketable in the constantly expanding Afghan construction industry.
 The skill labor workshop was led by Army 1st Lt. Grayson Pranin and Sgt. 1st Class Clay Wait, Support Platoon, 585th Engineer Company, from Fort Lewis, Wash. The workshop increased the construction knowledge of 50 unskilled and partially-skilled Afghans nominated by local provincial government and Afghan contractors.
 The seven-day course consisted of lectures in job safety, tools and their proper uses as well as basic carpentry. The event culminated with the students being divided into groups of 10 and each group building a tool shed. The groups competed against each other as they constructed their tool shed.  At the end of the course, the students received the tools they used during their classes and a certificate of training.
Asadullah, 18, a student at the skill labor workshop said that he has some experience in carpentry and mixing concrete. He said the class taught him American standards of mixing concrete and placing rebar on a cement pad.  Asadullah was recognized as an excellent student in his group and was rewarded by keeping the tool shed his group built.  He plans to make the tool shed a carpenter shop for his local community.
Qassem, 22, was another student at the skill labor workshop.
“I think that this skill labor workshop is important for the development of Afghanistan,” said Qassem. “It was amazing to build the tool shed, especially the trusses on the roof.”
This is the second skill labor workshop held by the task force this year.   The purpose of the workshops are to teach Afghan contractors and their laborers construction skills, specifically carpentry and masonry tasks.  The workshop course includes meals, tools and materials financed through the U.S. Commander’s Emergency Response Program Funds.