LAHORE, July 9: National Vocational and Technical Education Commission (Navtec) Chairman Mumtaz Akhtar Kahloon has said the Punjab government's Technical Education and Vocational Training Authority (Tevta) has failed to impart quality technical and vocational skills to its students as only six to seven per cent of its graduates get relevant jobs.

Speaking at the certificate distribution ceremony at the Pakistan Readymade Garments Technical Training Institute (PRGTTI) here on Saturday, Mr Kahloon said Tevta was imparting training to students at obsolete machines that dated back to 1950s and added that such training was not relevant in the market.

Of the 150,000 graduates being produced by Tevta annually, Mr Kahloon said that only 10,000 graduates were able to get jobs.

The Navtec chairman urged Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif to invest in the technical education sector instead of wasting huge public money on Daanish schools, Ashiana Housing Scheme, Sasti Roti, and Yellow Cab scheme. “This country neither needs Daanish schools to create further classes in society nor yellow cabs that will make youth drivers. The need is to impart them quality technical education so that they may learn skills and set up their own small businesses,” Mr Kahloon said.

He stressed that Tevta institutions should be provided latest equipment so that the training could help graduates get relevant jobs.

Mr Kahloon said the Navtec had developed technical and vocational courses for the youth having qualification of any grade as those seeking training could be able to earn their livelihood in a respectable manner.

He said the Navtec was preparing technical and vocational courses after seeking feedback from Industrial Advisory Groups so that students could get training in fields that were required in their towns and cities.

He said the Navtec would soon be signing an agreement with German organisation GTZ for grant to be used for technical and vocational training of some 490,000 youths.

He said the commission would also be considering a PC-I submitted by PRGMEA for the training of 1,000 youths. He said the Navtec had also decided to offer Rs50,000 interest-free loan to the youth, who would be having Navtec certificate.

PRGTTI graduates Faisal, Sidra and Sadaf also spoke on the occasion. Later, the Navtec chairman distributed certificates among the graduates. Among others, Navtec executive director Tariq Shafi Chak were also present.