ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani Wednesday said the
government was committed to woo the youth away from extremism and
terrorism and equip them with necessary skills to optimally use their
talent in nation-building.
He was speaking here at a ceremony
marking the inking of an agreement for grant of 42.4 million Euros
between National Vocational and Technical Training Commission (NAVTTC)
and the German Development Agency GIZ, here at the PM House. The
program will be executed by NAVTTC in collaboration with the German
Development Agency, GIZ over a period of five years and will
practically implement the National Skills Strategy 2009-13.
Prime
Minister Gilani said Pakistan was facing a huge challenge of extremism
and terrorism and stressed that some of the unemployed youth were
suffering from this malaise primarily because of lack of
opportunities. He said the democratic government was working
hard to evolve a comprehensive mechanism to equip the youth with
necessary skills aimed at productive utilization of their talent within
the overall economic framework. Gilani termed the agreement
another "milestone of meaningful relationship" with the partners from
European Union to Netherlands and Germany. He expressed the belief that
the formal agreement would have a long-term impact, and further augment
the efforts in the field of technical and vocational training aimed at
realizing the immense potential. The Prime Minister mentioned
that of Pakistan’s total population 60 percent and placed the country
at a better position compared to the developed world teeming with aging
population. "The need of the hour is to equip the youth with
competitive skills to espouse the cause of social development as well,"
he said. He mentioned the benefits reaped from expatriate
Pakistanis’ contribution in shape of 11 billions dollars (per annum)
remittances, which were the second largest source of foreign exchange
after 25 billion dollars export.
The Prime Minister stressed
the need for imparting quality skills having worldwide recognition and
demand. "We are mindful of the fact that against an annual target of a
million skilled force set in Medium Term Development Framework, our
current capacity in TVET institutes only caters for little over
300,000," he said. He called for urgently up-scaling of
building capacity and recognition of vocational and technical
training. A comprehensive framework in shape of National Skills
Strategy is already in place. Gilani said the Agreement concluded
Wednesday basically envisages the implementation of the same strategy
in its true perspective.
He said National Vocational and
Technical Training Commission had been tasked at the federal level to
devise policies and strategies to identify and address problem areas in
vocational and technical training. He pointed that this area has
traditionally been neglected in the past and appreciated the efforts of
NAVTTC to improve the quality, relevance and suitability of the skills
so imparted. Gilani reiterated commitment of the government to work for
the betterment of the youth and said it was an asset that was yet to be
capitalized. He said the government was dispensing cash assistance to
the poor for immediate relief through initiatives like Benazir Income
Support Program and was also working to equip them with relevant skills
through special programmes such as "Fanni Maharat" and "Hunarmand
Pakistan".
He noted that NAVTTC was instrumental in
augmenting and implementing the plans in this regard. Gilani thanked
Pakistan’s European friends for their support and cooperation and
expressed confidence that initiatives like this will further enhance
cooperation.
"My government looks forward to strengthening this
collaboration that encompasses, learning, quality training, and
providing job opportunities to the young segment of our society."
Earlier Prime Minister Gilani along with the ambassadors witnessed the
signing ceremony. Under the program, the NAVTTC through the Economic
Affairs Division and in consultation with the provincial stakeholders
has negotiated a technical assistance program with the European Union
and governments of Netherlands and Germany who have contributed
the grant. Minister for Professional and Technical Education Commission
Riaz Hussain Prizada said skilled human resources were essential for
sustained economic growth. He said Pakistan has the largest segment of
population in the working age that needs to be harnessed.
He
said the quality of training for the youth need to be improved and its
quality enhanced and made demand driven. He said the Ministry was
specifically created for this purpose and reflected the vision of the
national leadership. He said under the President’s "Fanni Maharat" and
Prime Minister’s "Hunarmand Pakistan" programs 132 vocational centres
would be setup at uncovered areas of the country, while the youth,
particularly women, would be provided employment under the latter
program.
Chairman NAVTTC, Muhammad Mumtaz Akhtar Kahloon gave
details of the program and said the European Union, governments of
Netherlands and Germany have contributed grants of 25.4 million Euros,
15 million Euros and 2 million Euros respectively for the program that
would be executed over a period of five years.
Under the
program the curricula and skill standards for technical and vocational
education and training will be redesigned and redeveloped according to
national and international requirements and standards for the
Provincial Technical Education & Vocational Authorities (TEVTAs)
and other training institutes in the country. Online
