Promotion of technical education: Punjab government to form independent board

The Punjab government will form an independent board for promotion of technical education, which would make initiatives to prepare skilled workforce according to market requirement. This was decided in a meeting presided over by the chief minister held here on Saturday, disclosed an official.
Provincial Minister Malik Nadeem Kamran, Member Provincial Assembly Hafiz Mian Nauman, Chairman Special Initiatives Haroon Khawaja, Chairman Planning & Development, Secretaries of Finance and Education and concerned senior officers were present. Public-private partnership will also be encouraged for promotion of technical education. Punjab Chief Minister Punjab Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif will head the board.
In the meeting, he directed that skilled workforce be prepared keeping in view the market requirement and special attention to be paid for the promotion of technical education in the far-flung areas and training of women, disabled persons and special trades. He said the international certification of skilled manpower was of great importance due to which the youths would be able to earn livelihood.
The chief minister said keeping in view the importance of technical education it has been decided to constitute a vibrant and independent board under his chairmanship. He said the board would comprise experts of various sectors and evolve such a roadmap for the promotion of technical education in the province through implementation of which skilled workforce would be prepared speedily.
He also directed to form a committee for the constitution of board, which will consist of Member Provincial Assembly Hafiz Mian Nauman, Vice Chairman Punjab Educational Endowment Fund Dr Amjad Saqib, Chairman Planning and Development, Secretaries of Finance, Industries, Agriculture, Livestock, Labour, Law and officers of concerned departments. The committee will submit its recommendations with regard to constitution of board and other matters.
Shahbaz said the future of Pakistan was linked with technical education and the secret of their development also lied in the promotion of modern technology. He said the destiny of the country could be changed by making the youths skilful. Earlier, Chairman Punjab Vocational Training Council Faisal Ijaz Khan gave a detailed briefing regarding constitution of board and short, medium and long-term strategy for the promotion of technical education in the province. Secretary Labour Hassan Iqbal informed about the implementation of apprenticeship programme.