Free Bus Driver Training Offered to Roma in Novi Beograd

The municipality of Novi Beograd has introduced a free training program designed to equip Roma men and women with the skills to become bus drivers for the public transport company GSP 'Beograd'. This initiative is part of a broader effort to foster employment opportunities within the Roma community.

Duško Jovanović, a representative from the Humanitarian Center Rom Obrenovac, outlined the program's core requirements. Applicants must be Roma of either gender, have completed at least a three-year secondary education, and be a minimum of 23 years old. Exceptions are made for those aged 21 if they have completed a secondary education in transportation, specifically as a driver.

Successful participants in this free training can obtain B, C, or D category driver's licenses. A key condition for employment with GSP Beograd is a commitment to remain with the company as a driver for a minimum of two years. This program is a collaborative effort involving the German organization NIRAS, the City of Belgrade, and the Humanitarian Center Rom Obrenovac, operating under the 'Knowledge for Work' project.

The initiative is financially supported by the governments of Switzerland and the Republic of Serbia. It represents a targeted approach to integrate the Roma community into the workforce through vocational training and subsequent employment in a vital public service sector.