Training courses based on competency

LAHORE

Punjab Labour Minister and Chairman Skill Development Committee Raja Ashfaq Sarwar Thursday launched the initiation of Competency Based Training (CBT), a new approach to produce skilled workforce, from 60 vocational training institutes of the Punjab Vocational Training Council (PVTC). 

He launched the CBT courses at a special ceremony organised by the Punjab Vocational Training Council (PVTC) at the Expo Centre in collaboration with the TVET Reform Support Programme, funded by the European Union and the governments of the Netherlands, Germany and Norway. The ceremony also marked the passing out of the 1st batch of graduates of PVTC under the Chief Minister’s Growth Strategy.

Minister for Zakat Malik Nadeem Kamran, ex chief of Naval Staff, Minister Industries Ch Muhammad Shafique, Secretary Zakat Nayar Iqbal, Chairman PVTC Faisal Ejaz Khan, Head of TVET Reform Support Programme Hans-Ludwig Bruns and a large number of people from industry, various government agencies and civil society as well as young skilled persons attended the ceremony. Speaking on the occasion, Raja Ashfaq said the incumbent government considers technical and vocational education and training (TVET) a political priority and that is why a lot of emphasis is being given to this sector. He said Pakistan is blessed with a huge population of young people, which can be exploited for the economic growth of the country. Raja Ashfaq Sarwar resolved that the government will leave no stone unturned to reform the TVET sector because future of the coming generations relies on it. He lauded the efforts of the PVTC in providing employable skills to the youth of Punjab and hoped it will continue with the same zeal and enthusiasm. He congratulated the pass outs of various training programmes and urged them to adopt TVET as a career path because it will lead them and the country towards economic prosperity.

PVTC Chairman Faisal Ejaz Khan said the introduction of CBT is an important element of the National Skills Strategy (NSS), which is the basis of the ongoing TVET sector reform in Pakistan and being supported by the European Union, the governments of Netherlands, Germany and Norway. Keeping in view the latest trends based on market demands through Training Need Assessment (TNA) after conducting Demographics Survey at Tehsil level, PVTC has developed curricula for 92 various trades to cater for the growing demands of Industrial, agriculture, health and service sectors. The training of these trades is being imparted through its 241 Vocational Training Institutes (VTIs) throughout Punjab. So far over 450,000 trainees have successfully graduated from PVTC, out of which about 73pc have been gainfully employed or are working as entrepreneurs.