14 January, Vitebsk /Olga Bogacheva - BELTA/. Seven resource centres for vocational training are planned to be opened by 1 September 2013 in the Vitebsk region, as reported to BELTA correspondent by Sergey Kovalenko, Deputy Head of the Education Department of the Vitebsk Regional Executive Committee. The resource centres are being established on the basis of the Vitebsk State Vocational and Technical College of Light Industry (for training personnel for the footwear industry), the Vitebsk State Polytechnic Vocational Lyceum (for enterprises in the food industry and service sector), the Vitebsk State Vocational Lyceum No. 1 of Mechanical Engineering (in the mechanical engineering profile), and the Postavy State Vocational and Technical College of Agricultural Production (for representatives of professions related to vehicle maintenance and operation). Three more resource centres for the professional development of construction specialists are being created on the basis of the Vitebsk State Vocational Lyceum No. 2 of Builders, the Novopolotsk State Vocational Lyceum of Builders, and the Orsha State Vocational and Technical School No. 110 of Builders. The resource centres will provide training for students in relevant specialities, retrain vocational personnel, and also allow teachers from vocational education institutions in the region to improve their knowledge and skills. Preliminary work is currently underway for their establishment: class schedules are being formed, necessary changes are being made to the operational procedures of educational institutions, contracts for personnel training are being concluded, and a list of required equipment, machinery, and materials is being compiled. The Vitebsk Regional Executive Committee intends to allocate Br20 billion this year for their acquisition. Since 2009, four resource centres have been opened in the Vitebsk region: on the basis of the Horodok State Vocational and Technical College of Agricultural Production, the Polotsk State Vocational and Technical College, the Vitebsk State Vocational Lyceum No. 1 of Mechanical Engineering (for information support), and the Vitebsk State Vocational Lyceum No. 4 of Light Industry.