LAHORE, Pakistan: The Urban Sector Planning and Management Services Unit (USPMSU) and the Punjab Skills Development Fund (PSDF) have inaugurated a three-month vocational and skill development training program at the Al Jazari academy in township in Lahore.
The program is being offered at no cost to enrollees and is open for registration for those aged 15 and above.
The program was launched at Al Jazari Academy in an inaugural ceremony and was well-attended by members of the education sector, representatives from local government and esteemed members of the press.
Speaking at the launch of the program, CEO Urban Unit, Dr. Nasir Javed said, “Unemployment is a major impediment to our economic development whereas the lack of a skilled labour force is the major reason why our national productivity is currently at a sub-optimal state. With targeted skill development initiatives such as vocational training programs, we seek to empower our nation’s unemployed yet capable labour force.”
Under the program, enrollees can enhance their skills in three unique disciplines which have been developed specifically by Urban Unit for the capacity building and skill enhancement of program participants. The three vocational training courses being offered are for the roles of GIS Surveyor, Tube Wells and Pumps Operator and Solid Waste Management Field Inspector. Each course is accredited by the Punjab Board of Technical Education and registered with the Technical Education & Vocational Training Authority (TEVTA). The course curriculum has been specifically designed to cater to current labour market needs and requirements.
The training program will be offered exclusively at the Al Jazari Academy, a purpose-built teaching facility of the Urban Unit for building the capacity of individuals and government departments. The academy has foreign qualified faculty with extensive industry experience, engaged specifically by Urban Unit to impart the necessary technical skills and knowledge to program trainees.
The program has been launched under the umbrella of the Skills for Employability Scheme 2015; a DFID (UKAID) funded initiative, sponsored by the PSDF and executed by the Urban Unit in order to empower the unemployed masses with the skills for employability and economic prosperity.
For more information regarding the new training program and other projects of the Urban Unit, please visit http://www.urbanunit.gov.pk/ and https://www.facebook.com/TheUrbanUnit
