TEVTA launches 'Recognition of prior learning programme'

For the first time in the country's technical education history, the Punjab Technical Education and Vocational Training Authority (TEVTA) has launched "recognition of prior learning programme" to certify the skills of those already working in the market but without certification. The organisation has planned to bring numerous non-recognised workforce into the fold to explore employment opportunities in the local job market and abroad, Chairperson Irfan Qaiser Sheikh told Business Recorder.
He said, "The organisation launched the programme about five months ago under which uncertified skilled workers of different fields undergo training on day offs course and get certificate in their respective fields after practical tests." He said up to 10,000 skilled workers would get certificates under the program by December this year.
He also said that in line with a direction by Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif, his organisation was working on both ends of the industry by tapping market for skills training and market for skilled labour simultaneously. "The organisation has shifted all its financial resources from brick and mortar to training the manpower as per local and international markets' needs. Up to two billion rupees has been diverted from development side and allocated to train 65,000 youth in a three-and-six-month duration new demand-driven short courses and a stipend of Rs 1,000 per month to each trainee."
He went on, "We have taken a lead in transforming the organisation into a vibrant body by involving industry in planning and decision making process. By adopting public-private partnership mode for running the organisation, we have taken right and timely decision of starting 65 three-and-six month duration new short courses to train skilled manpower as required by the local and international markets.
"These demand driven short courses included handy man, UPS repair mechanic, confectionery, solar technician, house-keeping, cook, mobile repair, bakery and sweets, call centre, injection moulding, machine operator, customers sales officers, customer services officers and electronically controlled engine diagnostic and tune-up and many others alike. "Within a very short span of time of 10 months, the organisation has achieved miraculous results, which is evident from the enrolment figure that has shown 110-percent increase during the last 10 months. Focus has been shifted entirely from supply side training mode to demand driven sectors. To attract the youth, all types of fees have been waived off and Rs 1,000 per month stipend announced for the trainees taking admission in these demand driven new short courses. It has produced excellent results and brought the organisation into the radar of local and international industry.
"The enrolment ladder was stagnant at 85,900 during the past five years. It has jumped to 198,000 this year. This is not by accident or anything else but well-thought and restless efforts of the new management under the chairman from within the industry and involvement of all stakeholders in turning around the organisation into a vibrant service providing body, he said. Proper consultation and professional efforts have produced the desired results and brought us on the emerging TVET scenario."
He went on to say fair estimates say 1.4 million skilled workforces had been demanded for FIFA World Cup 2023 in Qatar and construction of infrastructure, stadiums, city rail, hotels and other construction projects. 'Keeping in view the said landscape in the local and Gulf labour market, the Punjab government has planned to grasp this grand opportunity and make it a point for the socio economic betterment of the Pakistani youth. Punjab Skill Development Strategy 2015-18 is the outcome of the said vision of the chief minister. It has set the target of training two million youth by 2018. The organisation has started pursuing to complete its task of training 541,128 by 2018 as fixed in Punjab Skill Development Strategy 2015-18."
He said a special cell had been established at the organisation's secretariat to manage the export of trained youth to the Middle East labour markets. 'It will not only help trained youth to make their livelihoods but also help the nation to fetch desired foreign exchange for national kitty."
When asked about placement rate of organisation's pass out students, he said the placement rate of organisation's three-year Diploma of Associate Engineer pass outs is between 85 to 90 percent, whereas for short courses it was less than 50-percent during the past five years. During the ongoing year, it is expected to touch the figure of 70 or more. An effort made by the placement cell established at TEVTA secretariat is producing results.
"The organisation has also focused on international accreditation and certification for its pass outs. A memorandum of understanding in this regard has recently been signed with City and Guild, a renowned British body among top ten world recognized accreditation and certification bodies.
"All stakeholders, including local and international industry and academia, have been taken into confidence to revisit policies and planning to turn around the organisation into a vibrant body," he said. He said books for the facilitation of courses participants are being provided for the first time in the organisation.