Language skills: ‘Chinese-speaking workers will be more valuable’

TEVTA starts Chinese language programme.

LAHORE: Chinese Consul General Yu Boren said on Tuesday that equipped with Chinese language proficiency Pakistani skilled workers would be more valuable for companies in China.

He was speaking at the inaugural ceremony of a Chinese language course at the Technical Education and Vocational Training Authority (TEVTA) Secretariat on Tuesday.

The consul general hoped that with Chinese language proficiency skilled workers would prove more productive in their jobs. “Workers who can talk and understand Chinese language will have a comparative advantage at their workplaces over those who cannot,” he said.

The ceremony was also attended by Deputy Counsel General Wang Dauxue, TEVTA Chairperson Irfan Qaiser Shaikh, TEVTA Chief Operating Officer Jawad Ahmed Qureshi, and Pakistan-China Joint Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCJCCI) Secretary General Salahuddin Hanif.

The Chinese consul general praised the TEVTA for the quality of its training programmes. He said the language course would be beneficial for skilled workers seeking employment in China or with Chinese companies in Pakistan.

He said China was a supporter of peaceful co-existence and economic cooperation with all its neighbours. In particular, he said China had had friendly ties with Pakistan. He said the year 2015 had been recognised by China as the year for strengthening of its friendship with Pakistan.

Deputy Counsel General Wang Dauxue said China-Pakistan relations were best explained by two Chinese sayings: “Long distance never separates close friends” and “True neighbours may not necessarily live next doors”. He said the people of the two countries had different social and cultural traditions but still they shared friendly ties.

TEVTA Chairperson Irfan Qaiser Sheikh said TEVTA was working in collaboration with the industry to ensure that adequate skilled workforce was available in the market. He said more short courses in employable skills were being added in consultation with the industry representatives.

PCJCCI secretary general Salahuddin Hanif said the introduction of the language course was needed to bridge the communication gap between people of the two countries. He urged the federal government to start a comprehensive programme to equip the workforce with skills required by Chinese companies. He said like western European countries, China, too, was driving its economic growth by relocating its manufacturing sector to places where cheaper labour was accessible. “With right policies, Pakistan can benefit from this trend,” he said.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 3^rd, 2015.