LAHORE: “Vocational training is the best means of development for the youth with wide employment opportunities. The importance of technological development can be summed up as the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical skills. Students in non-technical studies often Spend hours exploring different subjects.
These views were expressed by experts during a seminar titled “The Importance of Vocational Training and Employment Opportunities Abroad”. The seminar was jointly organized by Mir Khalilur Rahman Memorial Society (Jang Group of Newspapers) and Rafah Excel Tech Institute.
Governor Punjab Salim Haider Khan presided over the seminar while Parliamentary Secretary for Health Rushda Lodhi was the chief guest. The opening and closing remarks were delivered by Ahmad Nauman Anis, project director of Rafah Excel Tech Institute.
Speakers include Chief Minister Punjab Task Force on Skills Development Adnan Afzal Chatha, Chancellor and Managing Trustee Hasan Muhammad Khan and Director General of NAVTTC Islamabad. Brigadier (retd) Muhammad Sajid Khokhar was involved. The event was hosted by Chairman Mir Khalilur Rehman. -Rahman Memorial Society Wasif Nagi.
Governor Punjab Salim Haider Khan said that this event is a step towards empowering the youth of Pakistan with required skills. He praised Rafah International University and Excel Tech Institute for conducting such a program which not only provides training locally but also meets international standards.
The governor said that the youth are the future of Pakistan. “It is our responsibility to unleash their potential and give them opportunities to improve their lives”, he stressed. He was of the opinion that a strong and effective vocational training system prepares the youth to meet the demands of the local and international markets.
Rushda Lodhi reminded Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz that she had initiated efforts for the development of the youth in the province keeping in mind technical education and employment abroad. He hoped that the world would witness the development of Pakistan by the end of 2025.
He said that knowledge is not limited to written material only. He added that the saying “Get knowledge even if you have to go to China” emphasizes its importance. He said that due to the widespread availability of mobile phones and laptops, access to knowledge is at everyone’s fingertips.
Brigadier (retd) Muhammad Sajid Khokhar said that Technical Education and Vocational Training Authority (TEVTA) was established in 1999 under the Industries Department of Punjab. “Its main objective is to impart technical education and vocational skills to the youth to meet the needs of the market and industry”, he shared with the participants.
He told the participants of the seminar that TEVTA has 638 institutions in which 65 percent of the employees are male and 35 percent are female. He said that the gap between existing training and its requirement affects quality education. He said that the demand for overseas employment is particularly high in four sectors – IT, construction, hospitality and nursing.
Ahmad Nauman Anais said that Rafah International University focuses on inculcating Islamic and moral values among students. Hassan Muhammad Khan said that the youth are the most valuable asset of the country. He said his plan included sending 20,000 to 25,000 skilled nurses abroad annually.
He said there are 5 million job opportunities in Japan while an agreement with KDU in South Korea will enable 50,000 students to go to Korea on an exchange program. Adnan Afzal Chatta said that their target is to train 4,000 people in a year. “Through this program, many students are earning money by working as freelancers during their studies,” he said.
Vocational training is an important means of teaching specific skills to the youth, said Wasif Nagi. It enables individuals to work in specific fields, such as mechanics, electricity, computer science and many other professions, he said. –