BISP, NAVTTC plan cooperation in skill and vocational training

Islamabad: A meeting between Secretary Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) Omar Hamid Khan and Executive Director National Vocational & Technical Training Commission (NAVTTC) Zulfiqar Ahmed Cheema was held on Wednesday. Senior officials of BISP and NAVTTC were also present in the meeting.

The purpose of the meeting was to chalk out a plan of partnership between BISP and NAVTTC for the skill and vocational training of BISP beneficiaries under BISP Graduation Programme so that they may graduate out of poverty.

In the opening remarks, Secretary BISP stated that BISP, by creating linkages with specialised organisations like NAVTTC and NRSP, is looking to train its beneficiaries in demand driven trades under BISP Graduation Program. NAVTTC being the apex body at national level to regulate, facilitate and provide policy direction in vocational and technical training could enable beneficiaries to earn an independent and respectable social up-gradation through skill livelihood.

Executive Director NAVTTC welcomed the initiative of BISP and stated that the two sides need to determine the monetary requirements, priority trades, duration of trainings and number of trainings for the partnership. BISP team informed that BISP intends to implement its Graduation Programme in phased manner starting in 20 districts across the country training around 4 lac beneficiaries in 2 years.

The two sides agreed to work out the details of the partnership through working group including members from both of the organisations. After finalisation of the monetary requirements, priority trades, duration of trainings and number of trainings by the working group, the two sides would move step up cooperation by signing a MoU.