Islamabad (Web Desk): Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday directed the concerned authorities to focus on developing the skills of young people, especially women, so they can take advantage of emerging job opportunities.
The prime minister made the remarks while presiding over a review meeting on the implementation of the National Youth Employment Policy, where he highlighted the importance of creating more employment avenues for young people throughout the country, with special emphasis on Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP).
He said reforms had been undertaken at the National Vocational and Technical Training Commission (NAVTTC) and the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Authority (SMEDA) to ensure that Pakistan’s trained workforce meets the requirements of businesses and industries in both domestic and international markets.
PM Shehbaz directed that a monthly meeting should be convened to regularly evaluate the progress made in implementing the National Youth Employment Policy.
“Providing dignified employment to the country’s skilled and talented youth is among the government’s top priorities,” the premier said adding that the launch of the country’s first National Youth Employment Policy by the government reflects our sincere efforts.
He stressed that effective coordination between ministries, along with a well-planned and unified approach, was necessary to successfully carry out the measures introduced under the policy.
PM Shehbaz also ordered the authorities to initiate a special awareness drive to educate young people about the facilities and opportunities being offered to them under the policy.
Officials told the meeting that NAVTTC was taking steps to help workers obtain internationally recognised certifications as well as develop proficiency in foreign languages needed to secure employment in other countries.
The meeting was further informed that training programmes for young people were being designed around current market needs in order to increase their chances of finding work overseas.
“Government initiatives have also enabled the Digital Youth Hub to provide young people across the country with information on domestic and international employment opportunities through a single platform.”
The participants were informed that ministries and relevant institutions were jointly engaged in implementing the National Youth Employment Policy through greater coordination, consultation and cooperation.
It was also revealed that Youth Development Cells were being set up at educational institutions to offer career counselling and guidance to students and young people, besides keeping them informed about available employment and skills-training options.
Chairman Prime Minister’s Youth Programme Rana Mashhood briefed the PM Shehbaz on the steps undertaken in accordance with his instructions.
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar, Minister for Planning and Development Ahsan Iqbal, Minister for Economic Affairs Ahad Khan Cheema, Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar, Minister for Climate Change Musadik Malik, Minister for Information Technology Shaza Fatima Khawaja, Chairman of the Prime Minister’s Youth Programme Rana Mashhood and senior officials from the relevant government institutions attended the meeting.