Punjab govt to set up skill agency for technical training: Ashfaq Sarwar

Provincial Minister for Labour and Human Resource Raja Ashfaq Sarwar has said that establishment and operation of a new, single and independent Punjab Skill Agency for the improvement of technical and vocational training provided by TEVTA, PVTC and other skill training institutes of the provinces is being discussed by Punjab government.

Punjab government, he said, will undertake a functional review of Punjab Board of Technical Education (PBTE) and Trade Testing Board (TTB). These agencies will be responsible for accreditation and assessment, reviewing and revising the legal regulatory framework in which they operate.

He stated this while presiding over a meeting of Punjab Skill Development Steering Committee at Planning and Development Auditorium, here today.

The meeting was attended by Punjab Minister for Industries and Commerce Ch. Muhammad Shafiq, P&D Chairman Jehanzeb Khan, TEVTA Chairman Irfan Qaisar Sheikh, PIU Project Director Ameer Khatak and representatives of Punjab Skills Development Fund and Punjab Vocational Counsel.

Project Director Ameer Khatak, while briefing the meeting, said that to achieve two million target of skill training under Punjab Growth Strategy 2018, a total of 548000 youth will be trained annually in different sectors adding that TEVTA will train 140000, PVTC 133000, PSDF 60000, government departments 81000, TEVTA affiliated private institutes will train 41000 while other private sector independent institutes will give skill training to 93000 per this year’s target.

He said system capacity will be increased by demand-driven skill training in order to achieve the target, adding that sector-focused approach will be ensured to build capacity and flexible training adding that partnership of private sector for capacity expansion will also be enhanced. He further informed that training quality and relevance will be increased, getting industry input about skill training curriculum, instructions and employment.

Minister for Labour Raja Ashfaq Sarwar said that Punjab government will ensure perform based funding for the training institution and improve governance, independent quality assurance by testing and accreditation with regular monitoring to ensure progress in provincial skill training sector.