Sajid Irfan

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved a grant to enhance technical skills of the youth in Punjab province to help them find jobs.A spokesperson for the Technical and Vocational Education and Training Authority (TVETA) Punjab said while talking to WealthPK that many people remain unemployed due to lack of technical and vocational skills which come with related education and training. He said a large number of people are willing to acquire these skills, but budget constraints hinder their ambitions.

The spokesperson said the ADB grant of $100 million would be helpful in improving the technical education sector of Punjab. He said the grant will be used for imparting technical skills, vocational education, facilities, and the establishment of new training centres, etc.

The spokesperson said that TVETA has trained about 16,000 students so far who are doing jobs in their respective fields throughout the country. Private technical institutes have also played their part and trained about 3,600 students in different disciplines. He said the grant from the ADB will improve specialised skills and increase the number of technical institutions in the province.

The spokesperson said the ADB project will fund the demand-driven and gender-focused training to boost livelihoods and support industries that are key to Pakistan’s growth. The TVETA institutes are designed to increase the employability of graduates, upgrade worker skills, and ensure more equitable access to management and strategic planning for women and marginalised groups.

“The project will finance the establishment of 19 TVET centres in eight priority economic sectors: automobile assembly parts and repairs, construction, food processing, health, information and communication technology, light engineering, textiles and garments, and tourism and hospitality,” he said. The spokesperson mentioned that climate change has damaged Pakistan a lot.

“Due to lack of skills and special training, we cannot protect our homes, livestock, and agriculture from floods. This ABD fund will help in establishing more vocational education and training institutes in the province. Special training will be provided to students on how to prepare for and respond to disasters,” he said.

The spokesperson said workers with improved skills in key areas such as construction and agriculture will be essential for implementing stronger safety measures, improving the infrastructure, and helping the country prepare for future natural hazards. In this program, women are also supported to improve their skills and job opportunities, thereby helping increase their income.

He mentioned that Japan has also announced a $2 million grant for technical assistance to help create a prosperous and resilient Asia and the Pacific. This will help strengthen the TVETA institutional framework in Punjab. TVETA has been funded by the private sector to the tune of Rs70 million, which was primarily spent on student career development.

Credit : Independent News Pakistan-WealthPk