ISLAMABAD: Pakistan aims to generate one million jobs through skill development during the next phase of the Kamyab Jawan Programme, WealthPK reported.
The Skill for All, which is a component of the youth empowerment initiative, has been billed by the government as a catalyst for transforming the entire technical education and vocational training system in the country by enabling youth to become skilful, well-groomed and aptly employed, reported WealthPK.
The programme includes several interventions and represents diverse groups of society.
The initiative covers more than 250 different technical and vocational courses, including Internet of Things, web designing and development, app designing and cyber-security.
The programme has already created 50,512 jobs all over the country, enabling the individuals to acquire and advance their respective technical skills, and allowing them to create new and improved opportunities for themselves.
Chairman, National Vocational & Technical Training Commission (NAVTTC) Syed Jawad Hassan informed a meeting held recently that 74,737 youth had so far been trained under the programme. “The aim is to empower the youth in various fields related to technology. Over 35,000 youth have gotten training in high-tech fields like cybersecurity, Artificial Intelligence, Cloud Computing, Internet of Things, digital marketing, etc,” he said.
Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Asad Umar had chaired the meeting held to review the progress on the Skill for All project, according to WealthPK.
The NAVTTC chairman said another 39,469 youth had been trained in conventional technologies such as electricians, welders, plumbers, beauticians, domestic tailoring, etc. He said that 71% of the trained youth were employed. “This includes 20% of freelancers.”
Similarly, Syed Jawad informed the meeting that 23,000 youngsters skilled in the informal sector had been certified under the Recognition of Prior Learning. He said destination facilitation centres had also been established in 10 countries under the programme. He maintained that a national employment exchange tool and a workforce database had been developed and made fully functional.
Minister Asad Umer appreciated the achievements made under the programme, and suggested exploring more avenues to scale up the skill training initiative to benefit more youth. “Our top priority is to train young people so they will be able to get jobs in various fields,” said the minister.
The meeting also discussed the next phase of the project, targeting one million jobs through skill development.
Dr. Shabnam Sarfraz, Planning Commission Member Social Sector and Devolution, Sajid Baloch, Executive Director, NAVTTC, and other relevant officials were also in attendance.
Youth are considered a country’s future since they are the driving force behind any economic and social transformation. Pakistan has one of the world’s largest youth populations with 64% of people under the age of 30. If effectively utilised, this might be the biggest dividend for Pakistan.
This demographic change presents Pakistan with a challenge to focus on skill development of youth to build their capacity and transform them into an asset for sustained progress.
INP
