ISLAMABAD, July 9: International Labour Organisation (ILO) has offered Rs41 million to the NWFP and Azad Kashmir for establishing skills development centres and employment information centres in Muzaffarabad and Balakot.

Formal agreements were signed in Islamabad between the ILO and the governments of Azad Kashmir and the NWFP. The ILO country director, Donglin Li, signed contracts on behalf of the organisation whereas Shah Wali Khan, secretary industries, labour and technical education, signed the contract on behalf of the NWFP government. Similarly, Tariq Bashir Shaikh, secretary industries and labour and Dr Raja Mohammad Arif Khan, Chairman AJK-Tevta signed the contracts on behalf of the AJK government. These contracts were signed under the Community-Based Livelihood Recovery Project (CBLRP) funded by European Commission and UNDP and jointly implemented by ILO, UNDP, FAO and Unido.

Under these agreements, Skills Development Centres (SDCs) would be constructed, one each in Balakot and Muzaffarabad. These centres would impart trainings in six construction related trades including aluminium doors/windows fabrication and fitting, marble and tile fitter, pipe and steel fabrication, house painting and wall grafting, false ceiling fitter and surveying.

These trades are new to the training providers and will be taught for the first time in any formal training institute in the area. ILO will also provide technical support in developing market-oriented courses for these training as well as train the instructors/teachers. The proposed trades were identified through a consultative process with industry and market leaders and there is a great scope for people having these skills in national and international construction industries.

The Employment Information Centres are operational in the Balakot and Muzaffarabad however their scope is being expanded to many other activities like career guidance and counselling, core skills.

Federal Secretary Ministry of Labour, Malik Asif Hayat was the chief guest at the ceremony. Also present on the occasion were representatives from the European Commission, UNDP, FAO, Unido, governments of the NWFP and AJK, Employers and Workers Federations of Pakistan.