21-05-2025
Gandapur links tech jobs to certification
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur on Wednesday directed a series of measures to revamp technical and vocational education in the province, linking future government recruitment of technical personnel to certified qualifications.
He also urged accelerated progress on economic zones to boost industrial activity.
Presiding over a key review meeting on the Annual Development Program (ADP) at the Chief Minister's Secretariat, the chief minister assessed the progress of projects under the Industries Department.
The meeting was attended by relevant cabinet members, the additional chief secretary for planning, concerned administrative secretaries and other officials.
The chief minister directed the authorities to pay special attention to the technical and vocational education sector, saying that substantial investment was required to provide employment opportunities for the youth.
He instructed that the existing technical training system be aligned with the demands of national and international job markets. He also directed the establishment of an endowment fund to provide scholarships to students in the field of technical education.
In order to enable youth to secure employment in international job markets, the chief minister ordered work on the international certification of technical training programs.
He also directed the launch of programs for the availability of master trainers to ensure the provision of quality technical training. Furthermore, he instructed that the linkages between technical training institutions and local industries be strengthened and improved.
The chief minister made it clear that technical certification should be mandatory for the recruitment of technical staff in government departments. "No technical personnelsuch as plumbers, electricians, or driversshould be recruited without a recognised certificate," he said.
"Hiring unqualified candidates for technical positions is a violation of the rights of certified individuals," he said, adding that all departments must amend relevant rules and regulations for this purpose.
He warned that violations will result in action against the responsible officials.
The chief minister also emphasised special attention to projects for economic and industrial zones to promote industrial and commercial activities in the province.
He directed authorities to accelerate the pace of work on ongoing projects for establishing economic and industrial zones, and to propose new projects at suitable locations.
He noted that promoting industries could create job opportunities for the people, and steps must be taken to attract private investment.
"There are vast opportunities for investment in the industrial sector of the province and the provincial government will provide all possible facilities to investors interested in investing in the province," he said.
He added that the current provincial government was working to simplify the investment process and provide all necessary facilities under one roof.
In addition, Gandapur said the provincial government was also taking steps to supply electricity generated from its own projects to local industries at affordable rates.
