January 22, 2007	Monday	Muharram 02, 1428

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ISLAMABAD, Jan 21: The federal government has planned to start special training programmes in Balochistan to impart model skills to the unemployed youth.

The training programme is being launched under the directive of Prime minister Shaukat Aziz. The project will be financed by the National Vocational and Technical Education Commission (NAVTEC) in collaboration with the Baluchistan Institute of Skill Development and Technical Education.

The commission will bear training expenses including payment of stipends amounting to Rs1,000 per month to each participant and free boarding and lodging facilities for those hailing from far-away areas.

A spokesman for the commission told this reporter that keeping in view the backwardness of the province and its dismally low ratio in technical skills, Balochistan had been selected for the programme. At present, there are about 65 tehsils in which no technical and vocational institutes existed, he added.

Construction activities are going to gain momentum in Balochistan due to the launching of mega projects like Gwadar Port. Special focus is, therefore, on imparting of training in the construction sector. The training courses would be of four months.

The training will be offered in auto-mechanic, auto-electrician, welding, machinist, home appliances, concrete surveyor, steel fixing and scaffolding, etc. The model training programme also includes designing and making of women dresses.

Chairman NAVTEC Altaf Saleem said the courses would increase opportunities for the educated youth and enable them to get jobs in the booming construction sector. Enhancing the skills will increase job prospects and bring the youth to the mainstream economy, he added.