Seeking Financial Pledges and Blue-ribbon Committee Members

GFP International is preparing to launch the planned $100 million USD African Welding School and Training Fund. As a final preparatory step, we are assembling a Blue-ribbon Committee to play a key role in the program, and we ask you or someone you may know to join this important Committee to assist with the execution of this program. The ideal Committee members will have an interest in this mission and be in an influential position to expand our growing coalition.  Membership on the Committee will be for a one-year minimum term, extendable by mutual interest.  Participation in one monthly meeting will be requested. Deeper involvement will be welcome for those with an interest.

Throughout human history, societies with the secrets of metalworking have thrived. From the copper age to the bronze age, and now the iron age, the connection between metalworking and human prosperity is unmistakable. After three years of analysis, and twenty years of engagement with African education, my colleagues and I have identified the African skills gap in the realm of metalworking and industrial welding and have developed a program to address this urgent need.  In 2023, our technical team inspected the East African welding schools listed on the map below.

Our founder, Mike Vallez, also conducted a lecture tour during which he visited eleven schools and talked with over 1,000 students about the important role of industrial welding in an industrial economy.  In February 2025, we will continue the school visits and lectures in West Africa.

We need to expand our sound leadership team. We are currently forming a Blue-Ribbon Committee of known leaders in industry, government, academia and international agencies, including representatives from donor organizations. The initial role of this committee will be to:

1. Confirm our findings for the need and positive impact of modernizing / creating 20-30 welding schools of excellence.
2. Review grant applications submitted by trade and polytechnic schools and recommend which schools should receive grants. Help identify which schools and locations would be most impactful for the first 20-30 welding schools.
3. Provide high level oversight for the $100 million USD program to assure transparency and good governance.
4. Help build a coalition to support government policy changes, appeal to banks, industry, foundations and aid agencies to fund the program.

If you or someone in your sphere of influence are interested in participating in this Blue-Ribbon committee, please contact:

Eng Michael Vallez, P.E., MBA / mjvallez@gfp-intl.org

Mike Vallez is the Founder and Executive Director of GFP International, and the Founder and Managing Director of African Skills and Development Group Ltd.

GFP International, (a U.S. 501(c)(3) non-profit organization)

Salt Lake City, Utah

https://www.gfp-intl.org/

African Skills and Development Group Ltd:

Delaware USA, Nairobi Kenya, Dar es Salaam Tanzania, Kigali Rwanda, Lagos Nigeria, Accra Ghana

https://www.africanskillsanddevelopment.com/