Youth training initiative launched

Institutions sign MoUs to impart market-driven skills to youth

PESHAWAR:

In a transformative leap towards the realization of the Khushhal Pakhtunkhwa Program, the Caretaker Chief Minister of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, Justice (retd) Syed Arshad Hussain Shah, ceremoniously inaugurated the ‘Program for Training and Employment.’

This initiative seeks to equip targeted youth with market-oriented training and skills spanning various potential fields, with a profound impact anticipated on the socio-economic landscape of the province.

Embarking on its maiden phase, the program aims to empower over 100,000 young individuals, facilitating their placement in both local and international markets. To achieve this ambitious goal, crash courses in high-demand sectors such as IT, nursing, paramedics, and more are slated to be organized.

The effectiveness of this endeavor is further bolstered by the formalization of Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) between various provincial departments and pertinent institutions, underscoring a collaborative approach to youth development.

The chief minister presided over the launch ceremony at the Chief Minister’s House. Attendees included members of the provincial cabinet, the Chairman of the Higher Education Commission, administrative secretaries of relevant departments, representatives from partner organizations and institutions, senior journalists, and a substantial gathering of students.

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A total of seven pivotal MoUs were inked during the ceremony, strengthening partnerships between different provincial government departments and institutions. Noteworthy collaborations include the Institute of Management Sciences Peshawar signing two separate MoUs – one with the Department of Youth Affairs and another with the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa IT Board.

Additionally, the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Technical Education and Vocational Training Authority (TEVTA) forged two significant alliances – one with the Higher Education Department and another with the Accelerated Skills Development Program.

Another milestone was achieved with an MoU formalized between the K-P IT Board and the Small Industries Development Board (SIDB). Extending the collaborative spirit, Comsats and the Pak-Austria Fachhochschule Institute of Applied Sciences solidified their commitment by signing MoUs with the Directorate of Youth Affairs and KP IT Board, respectively.

Addressing the gathering, Caretaker Chief Minister Syed Arshad Hussain Shah acknowledged the longstanding challenge of unemployment in the country. Expressing deep empathy for the plight of unemployed youth, he articulated his commitment to implementing tangible solutions.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 3^rd, 2024.