August 21, 2007	Tuesday	Sha’aban 7, 1428

ISLAMABAD, Aug 20: Training the youth in technical and vocational skills is crucial to enhancing their knowledge and in sustaining economic growth for the country. This was stated by Anisa Zeb Tahirkheli, minister of state for education, while speaking at the inauguration ceremony of the ‘national training session for capacity-building of teaching and administrative staff of vocational and technical education centres.’

The training workshop is being organized by Unesco in collaboration with the Islamic Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (Iesco).

The secretary general, Pakistan National Commission for Unesco, Saqib Saleem, welcomed the participants.

Highlighting the aims of the five-day workshop, Ms Tahirkheli said it would contribute towards achieving the goal of imparting technical training to one million people, till 2010.

She also underlined the importance of technical training for women for achieving their potential.

The workshop would promote the value of technical and vocational training on the federal and provincial level.

She appreciated the efforts of the National Vocational and Technical Education Commission (Navtec) for imparting technical and vocational training to meet the demand for skilled manpower nationally as well as international said it would contribute towards achieving the goal of imparting technical training to one million people, till 2010.

She also underlined the importance of technical training for women for achieving their potential.

The workshop would promote the value of technical and vocational training on the federal and provincial level.

She appreciated the efforts of the National Vocational and Technical Education Commission (Navtec) for imparting technical and vocational training to meet the demand for skilled manpower nationally as well as internationally.

The syllabus, she explained, included modern administrative and technical skills, keeping in view the role of public and private partnership to sustain the economy’s GDP growth rate.

Ms Tahirkheli said the seven per cent GDP rate reflected the positive economic policies of the government and it represented the vibrancy of our economy. The major contribution comes from small and medium enterprises and various other industries.

Elaborating on future targets, she stressed the need to enhance the knowledge about the latest development in different technologies, including biotechnology, nano technology, space technology and information and communication technology.

Abbas Sadri, Iesco regional office director, Tehran, appreciated Navtec’s efforts of focussing on developing technical and vocational skills in sectors where there was a greater skill gap and tremendous job opportunities.—APP