ISLAMABAD: The National Vocational and Technical Training Commission (NAVTTC) and various industry associations and leading companies have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to establish a sector skills council for renewable energy sector.

Representatives of Renewable Energy Association of Pakistan (REAP), Solar Quality Foundation (SQF), Independent Power Producers Association (IPPA), Reenergia Enhar and Sohail Incorporation signed the MoU on behalf of their respective sides with NAVTTC on Thursday.

According to a statement, representatives of the energy sector appreciated the idea of the council and acknowledged the fact that skills gap is one of the biggest challenges the industry is facing at the moment.

They expressed their commitment to make the skills council successful.

NAVTTC Chairman Syed Javed Hassan appreciated the enthusiasm of the associations and private enterprises while NAVTTC Executive Director Dr Nasir Khan expressed the hope that the council will provide a headway for bridging the gap between public and private sector for relevant skills generation, demand analysis and updating curricula.

The establishment of SSC in the energy sector will increase cooperation and collaboration between public-private sector on matters related to setting skills standards, identifying occupational gaps, recognition of prior learning (RPL), job placement, apprenticeship, teachers/instructors training and on-the-job training.

Published in Dawn, April 2nd, 2019