Chinese Luban Workshop to start classes from April

LAHORE: The Technical Education and Vocational Training Authority (TEVTA) will set up Chinese historic technical training Luban workshop which will start working from April 2018, said TEVTA Chairman Irfan Qaiser Sheikh.

He was talking to a four-member delegation of Tianjin Model Vocational Training College (TMVTC) China at his office on Tuesday.

The chairman said that China's historic 150-years-old Luban Workshop is providing a state-of-the-art technical and vocational training across the globe. Now, this workshop would also provide latest technical training to the youth of Punjab, he added.



He went on to explain that Luban was the father of Chinese architecture who not only invented construction tools but also became a role model for labouring people in China, and his name is now used for workshops that train craftsmen. Luban workshops are set up to help local schools train certified skilled talents, he said, adding that the workshop was dedicated to cultivating students professional quality, comprehensive practical ability and creativity.

Shiekh said that initially, two courses including Advanced Chinese Language and Automation Production Line would be offered at the workshop, however, in the second half of 2018, two more courses, including media arts would also be started at the Luban Workshop. However, the Chinese master trainers would remain in Pakistan to supervise the courses, whereas Pakistani master trainers would get training in China.

Talking about the purpose of the visit of the delegation, he said that the delegation would visit Government Technical Training Institute (GTTI) Gulberg and GTTI Mughalpura for the selection of a site for the workshop. However, in their three-day tour they would also meet Punjab Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif, he said. Once the site is finalised, the agreement would be signed between both parties TMVTC and TEVTA for the starting of courses, he said. He added that the MoU between both parties was signed in May this year at Tianjing China.



Talking about the importance of Luban Workshop, Sheikh said that globally youngsters were getting benefit from this workshop and the time has come when Pakistani youth should also be provided with such international standard technical and vocational training. The establishment of this workshop was the first step in this regard, he said. He added that this workshop would mark as a facility of excellence leading to the social and economic development of our country.

The graduates of this workshop would not only fulfill the needs of the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) but this would also help the youths to approach the job markets of Gulf countries and Europe.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 27^th, 2017.