PESHAWAR: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur on Wednesday said technical education required substantial investment to provide employment opportunities to youth.

He stated this while speaking at a meeting regarding the Annual Development Programme held here.

He directed the authorities concerned to pay special attention to technical and vocational education, according to an official statement issued from the chief minister’s secretariat.

The meeting, also attended by relevant cabinet members, additional chief secretary for planning, administrative secretaries, and other officials, reviewed the progress on the projects being carried out under the industries department.

Mr Gandapur said that the existing technical training system should be aligned with the demands of national and international job markets and directed the establishment of an endowment fund to provide scholarships to students in the field of technical education.

He also directed launching programmes for the availability of master trainers to ensure the provision of quality technical training. He said the linkages between technical training institutions and local industries should be strengthened.

“Technical certification should be mandatory for recruitment of technical staff in government departments,” the chief minister said and emphasised that no technical personnel – such as plumbers, electricians, or drivers – should be recruited without a recognised certificate.

“Hiring unqualified candidates for technical positions is a violation of the rights of certified individuals,” the chief minister said, adding that all departments must amend relevant rules and regulations for this purpose, and violations should result in action against the responsible officials.

The chief minister asked for giving special attention to projects for economic and industrial zones to promote commercial activities in the province.

He said that promoting industries could create job opportunities for the people and, for this purpose, steps should be taken to attract private investment.

Mr Gandapur noted that there were vast investment opportunities in the province’s industrial sector and that the provincial government would provide all possible facilities to investors interested in doing so.

He said his government was working to simplify the investment process and provide all necessary facilities to investors under one roof.

“The provincial government is also taking steps to supply electricity generated from its own projects to local industries at affordable rates,” Mr Gandapur said.

Published in Dawn, May 22nd, 2025