Free training programs set up by the Shanghai Charity Foundation has helped thousands of migrant women married to local men find jobs, and provided youngsters from poor families with marketable job skills.

The foundation has set up 19 training bases throughout the city. Reporters followed officials from the foundation yesterday on a tour of two of the training bases in Baoshan and Changning districts.

The first stop was at a middle school on Yangqu Road in Baoshan District where about 160 students are taking courses in economic management, mobile phone repair and various computer skills.

The free classes are open to students under 25 years old from families that earn less than 500 yuan (US$60) a month, said Xu Benliang of the Shanghai Charity Foundation.

"Their families can not afford their schooling and in addition they can not find a job without any special skills," Xu said, adding there are about 63,000 such students in the city.

Since it was set up in July 2004, the youth employment assistance program has provided training to 591 young people. The students take classes for 18 months, before hitting the job market.

"Many big name companies, such as Kodak and Siemens, have offered to enroll our students as their interns," Xu said.

After talking with some students yesterday, officials said they would consider providing free lunches.

"Solving the food problem is the most urgent and essential need," said Xia Xiurong, vice director of the local charity foundation.

(Shanghai Daily June 3, 2005)