DUBAI: A workers’ camp surrounded by ready-mix cement factories is an unlikely place to learn computers or English.
But dozens of heavy-duty truck drivers are doing exactly that, picking up computer skills daily for two weeks from 6pm in a labour camp in Jebel Ali.
The hour-long lessons draw about 40 “students” who work for Tristar, a 15-year-old logistics company based in Dubai, which initiated the two-week basic lessons in Word, Excel and internet use. The ‘teachers’ are from Tristar’s IT department who stay behind after work to conduct classes.
The daily classes are held in a canteen-turned-classroom in the accommodation that holds about 330 men. They follow ready-made modules for beginners as well as advance learners.
Tristar CEO Eugene Mayne said the two-week classes attended by about 40 truck drivers will be followed by English-language lessons from qualified volunteer teachers in March.
“It’s part of caring for the communities where our company operates,” said Mayne.
“I used to watch TV after work to pass my time, but now I sit here to learn something new,” said Parminder Singh, 53, a truck driver for the past 15 years.
Abdel Aziz Thottoli, 46, who has driven Tristar trucks for 10 years, said: “I realised that learning computers is easy, but I’m learning more every day when I sit in class.”
Some drivers, who earn around Dh4,000 a month, said the only time they miss classes is due to the nature of their work.
While most attendees are truck drivers, helpers, cleaners and mechanics also come to these free classes.
Stanislas Fernandes, a 54-year-old auto electrician, said: “I sit in this class whenever I can. But I need to learn more and practice more. I wish to have my own laptop.”
Prasad K.M., 43, Tristar’s group IT manager, said: “The feedback we get gives us a boost.” Prasad previously taught at National Institute for Information Technology in New Delhi before moving to Dubai.
“Some of our drivers are getting a taste of technology for the first time. For them being able to write a simple letter using Word, or using web chats adds a lot of zest to their lives.”
The company also provides free WiFi access to the 330 employees in the camp.
