PESHAWAR: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government is set to launch youth skill training programmes in the province as the donors-funded TVET Sector Support Programme (SSP) has handed over a modern centre of excellence to the provincial Technical Education and Vocational Training Authority (Tevta) here.

The centre handing over ceremony was held in Hayatabad on Friday, where adviser to the chief minister Abdul Karim Khan was present as the chief guest.

First secretary of the EU Delegation to Pakistan Sven Ruesch, Cluster Coordinator for Training, Sustainable Growth and Decent Employment Opportunities, GIZ-Pakistan, Olaf Handloegten, provincial Tevta managing director Sajjad Ali Shah and representative of the embassy of Germany Antonia Peters attended the event.

Govt set to launch skill training programmes

According to officials, the establishment of five CoEs in Islamabad, Lahore, Kotri and Hub cities has been planned as collaboration between the National Vocational and Technical Training Commission and Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH under the TVET SSP, which is funded by the European Union (EU), the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), and Norwegian embassy.

They said the centres would provide a cascading model of teacher training, upscaling of skills for trainees, modern lab facilities, career counselling and job placement services under one roof.

The officials said the Peshawar CoE, the first to be established and launched, would foster excellence in training delivery for thousands of youth and TVET practitioners, and build up a competent workforce.

Olaf Handloegten of GIZ Pakistan appreciated the initiative and said he hoped that it would be replicated in other regions as well.

TVETA chief Sajjad Ali said the authority in collaboration with the TVET SSP was equipping youths with competency-based training and preparing them for job market.

Antonia Peters of the German embassy hoped that the Hayatabad CoE programme would encourage both young men and women to come forward and learn innovative skills for better employment.

Sven Ruesch of the EU Delegation said he hoped that the TEVTA would take advantage of the upgraded training facilities at the centre and devise mechanisms to ensure that the centre lives up to its full potential.

He urged the government and private sector to ensure sustainability of joint efforts and achievements for the purpose.

Adviser to the chief minister Abdul Karim appreciated the establishment of the CoE and said the government would ensure the smooth functioning of the ‘extraordinary’ skill training facility.

Published in Dawn, November 27th, 2021