Valuing skills: Over 10,000 visit Huner Mela

MNA says TEVTA is providing trained manpower to the industry.

LAHORE:

More than 10,000 school children, their teachers and parents visited the two-day Hunar Mela that concluded on Sunday.

Around 300 employers visited the event organised by the Technical Education and Vocational Training Authority (TEVTA).

The event had been supported by the Technical and Vocational Education and Training Reform Support Programme, funded by the European Union, the Netherlands embassy and Germany. National Assembly member Shaista Pervez Malik, Industries Secretary and TEVTA chairperson Ali Sarfraz Hussain and Education GIZ Pakistan Programme Director Julie Reviere spoke at the closing ceremony.

Malik, the chief guest, said TEVTA had been providing trained manpower to the industry, which played a vital role in the socio-economic development of the country.

“TEVTA has launched the German Pakistan Training Initiative (GPATI) Programme to offer courses of international standard in the Punjab. The mela will help educate the youth about several vocational courses.”

She said GIZ had helped improve the standards of vocational education and training.

“The youth should be empowered technically so that they can contribute to the country’s progress,” she said.

Reviere said Pakistan had abundant natural and human resources for economic development.

“With a clear vision and sustained and organised efforts to implement it, the technical and vocational education and training sector can help revolutionise the socio-economic landscape of Pakistan”.

She said TEVTA could play a vital role in the national development process by providing a trained workforce to the local industry.

Hussain said skilled manpower was a key to smooth industrial development, socio-economic prosperity and poverty alleviation. “Effective liaison with the industry helps TEVTA train the youth.”

Published in The Express Tribune, May 12^th, 2014.