PMI Continues Funding Technical Education in Russia

Source from:  Tobacco Reporter 12/24/2010

Philip Morris International and the Russian non-profit Centre for Non-Governmental Organizations' Development announced yesterday the continuation of an agreement initiated last year for the funding of a charitable program to improve two technical colleges in St. Petersburg and five technical colleges in the Leningrad region, where Philip Morris' Izhora factory is located. "PMI's grant will be used to transform these technical schools into centers of manufacturing excellence by upgrading and modernizing classroom facilities and purchasing modern equipment to replace out-dated machinery," said PMI in note posted on its website. "In addition, Philip Morris Izhora will provide promising students with a factory internship program and offer available full-time entry-level positions to the best graduates of the colleges in 2011." "Philip Morris Izhora employees will also volunteer their time to provide technical training to teachers and students at the schools." "Our program aims to improve professional vocational education by upgrading and modernizing the overall level of technical training and providing local talented students with scholarships," said Nicolas Floros, PMI's director of operations in Russia. The technical schools support program was initiated by PMI with an initial grant to purchase new machinery for six technical schools and to fund scholarships and teaching grants for students and teachers at the selected schools. More than 1,000 students benefit from the program each year. "The Leningrad Region is a manufacturing center for many large companies in Russia," said Rashid Ismagilov, vice-governor of the Leningrad region. "These companies need talented and well educated technicians but unfortunately the equipment and training currently available in vocational schools have not kept pace with the changes in manufacturing technology. "This program will help to ensure that our vocational schools both attract talented students and give them the training they need in modern manufacturing." Enditem