By Faiza Tehseen Islamabad, April 18 (INP-WealthPK): A mega women job fair was organized in Faisalabad and joined by around 500 female participants. Officials of leading industrial/commercial organizations were invited to interview job seekers for various positions, reports WealthPK. Technical Education and Vocational Training Authority (TEVTA) organized the event at Government Vocational Training Institute in collaboration with State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) and National Bank of Pakistan (NBP). The event proved a good opportunity for women to approach a cluster of industries under one roof. In a detailed discussion with WealthPK, Principal of Government Vocational Training Institute Mrs Nadia Naveed said, “For the first time, such type of mega women job fair has been arranged in Faisalabad. Arrangements for more than 400 job seekers were made. The students were asked to register themselves with their related district placement office to participate in the event.’’ She said TEVTA offered computer software training, electronics, dress designing, dress making, office management, fashion designing, domestic tailoring, industrial stitching, embroidery, fabric printing, calligraphy, professional cooking, beautician, hospitality etc. That’s why there was a wide range of sectors to apply. She also shared that NBP individual desks will be set up for online filing of applications for few official plans i.e., Mera Ghar, Mera Pakistan, PM Kamyab Jawan program, and credit guarantee scheme for women entrepreneurs. All these plans were especially for those TEVTA pass-outs interested in working as entrepreneurs and owners of SMEs or start-ups. Sharing his views with WealthPK, chief guest Director General (Placement) of TEVTA Punjab Amir Aziz said, “Women job fair in Faisalabad was the first of its kind. A considerable number of industries, local, and international brands participated in the event to hunt the talent. The trend to hire female workers is increasing in various industrial sectors i.e., garments, pharmaceutical, beverages, etc. This female job fair has proved an opportunity for such talent seekers under one roof. He shared that now it was mandatory for industries, brands, and other working units to hire at least 30% to 40% females. He said the women who had passed out from TEVTA were working as successful entrepreneurs. Talking about the ratio of on-job TEVTA pass-outs, he said concerning the case of male pass-outs, 100 percent employment chance occurs after this type of job fair but not in the case of females. “It is due to social pressure or other problems. So, increasing social awareness about the importance of skilled female work force is also made a part of TEVTA activities. It will help solve the hurdle keeping them from active working”. Rana Mohsin Nadeem, Director of TEVTA (Distt Faisalabad/ Chiniot), in his detailed discussion with WealthPK said, “TEVTA is successfully equipping the youth with multiple professional skills. It is also a part of strategy to assign them proper job places after training. Different technical courses are also widening the ways to export skilled workforce from Pakistan. Pakistan is badly in need of making females an active part of its economic stream so as to provide sustainable livelihood to low-income families. This will not only help increase the GDP rate, but the government will also collect a handsome revenue and foreign exchange as well”. President of Board of Management (BOM) of TEVTA (Faisalabad & Chiniot) and guest of honour Engr Asim Munir told WealthPK, “This event is a window of opportunity for the passed-out students of TEVTA to get jobs according to their skills. Officials of multiple industrial sectors were also invited to choose the well-skilled females. To encourage female entrepreneurs, many guidelines and options are also onboard. The participation of BP and NBP is there to guide the female entrepreneurs/SMEs about loans. FCCI is actively working to promote skilled females. As a responsible member of FCCI, I am proud to share that a good number of member industrialists will also join the job fair for talent hunting.’’ Talking to WealthPK, Mrs. Nighat Shahid, Chief executive Officer of Shan Industries and President of Faisalabad Women Chamber of Commerce & Industry, said, “This job fair aims to select the talent well suitable for multiple industrial sectors. The increasing number of well-skilled females is a good omen for socio-economic prosperity of Pakistan. Moreover, being a business woman, I am happy at this initiative. The availability of multiskilled female workers under one roof is a wonderful option. I think this type of job fairs must be held on a regular basis”. Talking to WealthPK, Muhammad Asghar, District Placement Officer (Distt Faisalabad/ Chiniot), said, “In March, job fair for male pass-outs from multiple TEVTA institutes was successfully organized. Now we are organising another for female pass-outs. A good number of female applicants have registered themselves with the Distt Placement Office to join this job fair. More than 500 pass-outs are expected to submit their CVs. TEVTA is working hard to make skilled females a regular part of economic stream in Pakistan. It will not only help make Pakistan’s economic position better, but it is also a positive step toward a sustainable livelihood”.