Chief Minister highlights importance of technical expertise | Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF)

Pakistan Press Foundation

Chief Minister highlights importance of technical expertise

KARACHI: The 11th meeting of Sindh Technical Education & Vocational Training Authority (STEVTA) was held today under the Chairmanship of Chief Minister Sindh Syed Qaim Ali Shah at CM House.

The meeting was attended by Sindh Information Minister Sharjeel Enam Memon, Sindh Education Secretary Muhammad Siddique Memon, Sindh Secretary, Kaleem Lashari, Special Secretary Finance, Secretary IT, Chairman Sindh Board of Technical Education Saeed Ahmed Siddiqui, Chairman PSO Sohail Wajahat Siddiqui, General Manager HR Corporate

Affairs Engro Chemicals Tahir Javed, Registrar Mehran University of Engineering & Technology Dr Tahaa, Regional Director NAVTTC Mushtaq Ali and others.

Speaking on the occasion, Chief Minister said that there is acute need of technical persons to get trainings and skilled knowledge in various trades, in the country and also abroad. He said that present government is paying full attention towards preparing the youth for meeting the challenging jobs in industrial, technical, vocational and social sector so as to fulfil the needs of those sectors.

Syed Qaim Ali Shah further said that various youth development programmes have been initiated under Benazir Youth Development Programme and other schemes. He said that during last four years, more than 150,000 youth has been imparted training in various trades, and most of them have obtained jobs in government, semi-government, private institutes, factories, industries and others agencies.

The Chief Minister said that under the vision of Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto and directives of President of Pakistan Asif Ali Zardari, special emphasis has been made to further promote technical and vocational education in nook and corner of the province. He stressed upon all concerned to share their responsibilities for this purpose and youth knowing technical and vocational trades be encouraged accordingly.

Syed Qaim Ali Shah pledged his firm belief that the youth of Sindh will be trained in all technologies required for provision of jobs.

The Board of Governors discussed 4-point detailed agenda and decided to establish first Technical Vocational University at Hyderabad while 0.1 million youth will be imparted trainings at various industries under internship programme for different skills and trades. The Authority meeting also decided to present Provincial Apprenticeship Bill in the next session of Sindh Provincial Assembly.

The Board of Governors of STEVTA also approved vocational training programmes for prisoners in jails of the Sindh province aimed at to initiate welfare schemes of the prisoners. It was also decided that the production unit of Swedish College will be reactivated and started, while efforts will be made to ensure provision of official furniture for various government departments particularly the education and health departments. The meeting also approved the annual budget of STEVTA for the year 2012-13 with allocation of Rs 1347 million for non-development expenditure and Rs 1200 million for development expenditure.

The Managing Director of the STEVTA Hafeezullah Abbasi in his detailed briefing informed that 34 institutes are being functionalized in 34 newly constructed buildings while five regional directorates have been established in Karachi, Hyderabad, Mirpurkhas, Sukkur and Larkana. He further informed that seven projects have been established at Shaheen Vocational Training Institute Nawabshah (PAF), Petroleum Technical Training Institute Khairpur, Community College and Polytechnic Institute Nausheroferoze (IBA Sukkur), introduction of innovative female specific skills – Polytechnic Institute for Girls Sukkur, Vocational Schools (Girls) Khairpur (SRSO), College of Technology, Karimbabad Karachi (PSDC) and Technical Training Institute – PCESSDC.

He said that the work of seven other projects is in progress which include – Karachi Vocational Training Insitute Korangi, Institute of Petroleum and Gas Technology Badin, Vocational Training Institute Daharki, Vocational Training in STEVTA (Selected institutes), Vocational Training Institute for deaf children, Nawabshah, Shaheen Vocational Training Institute at Jacobabad/Badin (PAF) and Thar Coal Mining Institute at Mithi.

He further informed that five new institutes are also under way at Rehri Karachi, Gulistan-e-Jauhar, Korangi, PSIT Karachi and High Schools of Sindh. Besides, Hunarmand Khushhal Sindh Programme is being initiated in the province at the cost of Rs 280 million, while the World Bank has agreed to finance $6 million to STEVTA for Sindh Skill Development Project for introducing 70 demand driven courses.

According to details, 440 candidates will be admitted for Diploma of Associate Engineers and 2000 for short courses in upcoming 2-3 years. He said that under ILO support, empowerment of vulnerable group, European Union funding TEVT Reform Support Programme, vocational Training for Transgender, establishment of staff Training Institutes Vocational Training for deaf children and other courses are to be started.

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