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Saturday January 25, 2025

Governor calls for effective vocational training system

By Eisha Asif
January 11, 2025
Punjab Governor Sardar Saleem Haider speaks during a meeting at Governor House in this image taken on May 27, 2024. — Facebook/Sardar Saleem Haider Khan
Punjab Governor Sardar Saleem Haider speaks during a meeting at Governor House in this image taken on May 27, 2024. — Facebook/Sardar Saleem Haider Khan

LAHORE: “Vocational training is the best tool for youth to make progress with abundant employment opportunities. The significance of technical development can be summarised as a difference between theoretical knowledge and practical skills. In non-technical studies, students often spend hours exploring various subjects”.

These views were expressed by the experts during a seminar titled “The Importance of Vocational Training and Employment Opportunities Abroad”. The seminar was jointly organised by Mir Khalil-ur-Rahman Memorial Society (Jang Group of Newspapers) and Riphah Excel Tech Institute.

Governor Punjab Saleem Haider Khan presided over the seminar, while Parliamentary Secretary for Health Rushda Lodhi was the chief guest. The opening and concluding remarks were delivered by Riphah Excel Tech Institute Project Director Ahmed Nauman Anees.

The speakers included Chairperson of Chief Minister Punjab Task Force on Skills Development Adnan Afzal Chathha, Chancellor and Managing Trustee Hasan Muhammad Khan and Director General of NAVTTC Islamabad, Brigadier (retd) Muhammad Sajid Khokhar.The event was hosted by Chairman of Mir Khalil-ur-Rahman Memorial Society Wasif Nagi.

Governor Punjab Saleem Haider Khan remarked this event is a step towards empowering Pakistan’s youth with required skills. He praised Riphah International University and Excel Tech Institute for organising such a programme that not only provides training locally but also meets international standards.

The governor said the youth are the future of Pakistan. “It is our responsibility to highlight their potential and provide them opportunities to improve their lives”, he emphasised. He was of the opinion a strong and effective vocational training system prepares young people to meet the demands of local and international markets.

Rushda Lodhi reminded Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz, while keeping technical education and overseas employment in mind, had initiated efforts to uplift youth in the province. “By the end of 2025, the world will witness Pakistan making progress”, she hoped.

She said knowledge is not just confined to written material. The saying, “Seek knowledge even if you have to go to China” emphasises its value, she added.With the mobile phones and laptops widely available, access to knowledge is at everyone’s fingertips, she said.

Brigadier (retd) Muhammad Sajid Khokhar said the institution of Technical Education and Vocational Training Authority (TEVTA) was established in 1999 under the Punjab Department of Industries. “Its primary goal is to provide youth with technical education and professional skills to meet the market and industry’s demands”, he shared with the participants.

TEVTA, he told the participants of the seminar, has 638 institutions, with 65 percent of employees being men and 35 women. The gap between existing training and that required hampers quality education, he said. Overseas employment demand is particularly high in four sectors - IT, construction, hospitality and nursing, he told.

Ahmed Nauman Anees said Riphah International University focuses on instilling Islamic and ethical values in the students. Hassan Muhammad Khan noted youth are the country’s most valuable asset. Their plan, he said, includes sending 20,000 to 25,000 skilled nurses abroad annually.

He said there are 5 million job opportunities available in Japan, while an agreement with KDU in South Korea will enable 50,000 students to visit Korea in an exchange programme.Adnan Afzal Chathha informed their goal is to train 4,000 individuals in a year. “Through this programme, many students are earning money during their studies working as freelancers”, he said.

Wasif Nagi said vocational training is a key tool for teaching specific skills to the youth. It enables individuals to work in specialised fields, such as mechanics, electricity, computer science and many other professions, he said. —