TRAINING courses offered by the Union of Myanmar Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry (UMFCCI) will be made available to non-members, the head of the training school said last week.

“The UMFCCI training courses will be more widely available because we’re going to accept more trainees for our programs,” said Daw Phyu Phyu Than, who runs the school.

She said priority had been given to individual members and employees and directors of member companies since the training centre opened in March, 2000 because teaching capacity was limited.

She said the courses had only been available to non-members if no members wanted them.

“The objectives of the training programs are to provide regular commercial education training services to private enterprises and members of the federation. We try to improve their accountancy standards and management skills at modern international level and to increase their knowledge and conformity of existing rules, regulations and procedures,” said Daw Phyu Phyu Than.

The regular training courses are in applied accounting and management, which is taught at three levels – UMFCCI-accredited Level 1, 2 and 3.

Additionally, foreign language programs in English, Japanese and Korean study and management training for the manufacturing, trading and services industries are occasionally offered.

The UMFCCI Korean language courses are run in cooperation with Chonam National University, that assists with the teaching and testing of students, as well as compiling a Myanmar-Korean dictionary.

“The first three-month Korean language course commenced in November, 2007 and we will be running a second course that will begin in May 2008. Interested persons can register their names in April for the second course,” said Daw Phyu Phyu Than.

Since 2004, the federation’s educational affairs committee has also been working with Koeki Shoji Co Ltd to offer two-year Japanese language courses at the centre.

“Japanese language courses for 2008 will commence in April and the trainees will be registered in March,” said Daw Phyu Phyu Than.

The UMFCCI training centre was inaugurated in March 2000 and was recognised as “Centre of Excellence” by the Human Resources Department of AEM-METI Economic and Industry Co-operation Committee, under the agreement of ASEAN Economic Ministers (AEM) and Japanese Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI).