TVETA: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa initiates fast-track reforms agenda with support of industries

The Technical and Vocational Education and Training Agency (TVETA) Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has initiated a fast-track reforms agenda to reinvigorate and to establish the agency on practical skill-based and job-oriented by linking with industries.
"We have finalised a roadmap for reforming the TVETA to make training delivery according to market needs in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, said the agency Chairman Nauman Wazir while briefing the media persons on reforms initiatives in the TVETA here on Wednesday.
Under the reforms agenda, he said the TVETA would now maximum focus on development of practical skills rather emphasising on theory work. Because, he said it was mandatory to develop 80 percent practical skills. For this purpose, he added they are going to establish strong linkages with industries.
The agency, he said, has been authorised to devise own rules and regulations for implementation of the active reforms agenda. He said TEVTA is lacking technicians and skills training staff, adding that a re-training program would be launched for existing teaching staff, rather to make new recruitment in the TEVTA. He said the technical training is paramount for creation of self-employment opportunities and economic growth in the country.
Accompanied by president of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Zahidullah Shinwari and Industrial Estates Association general secretary Malik Riaz, Wazir said that about 80 per cent machinery had dilapidated and rusted condition in TEVTA for which, sum of Rs 1410million allocated to upgrade it on modern line. He further informed that the TEVTA grant has been also increased at Rs 970million from Rs 15million, which will be spent to procure necessary equipment for enrolled students in various skill-training institutions affiliated with the agency.
Zahidullah Shinwari while welcoming the appointment of TEVTA chairman from private sector, and said that the step would improve the present condition of the skill training agency in the province. He informed that about 90 percent labourers were employed belonging to Punjab in local industries in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. If we want to compete with Punjab industries, then we must train skill-people there, Shinwari said. He suggested the TEVTA should focus on local industries and development of skills of on job labour force.
TEVTA chairman informed that more than 103 technical education institutions have been affiliated with the agency, while directorate of technical education, and other relevant institutions emerged into the agency. A total strength of teaching staff is about 4,600 in the TEVTA, while educating technical skills on bases of theory to more than 40,000 students across the province, Wazir said.
Explaining over key targets of the agency, Wazir said they would try to train and employed about 40 per cent skill force each Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and rest part of the country, while only 20 percent for gulf states. He said that a draft bill would be prepared, aiming to necessitating to give technical skills to students of grade-V and grade-VII in public and private education institutions.
Replying about the question regarding steps for women skill-development, TEVTA chairman said they have also been workout a plan, which will specifically focus on skill-training of women, besides the agency would also train people belonging to Federally Administered Tribal Areas. He said that a program would also be launched to give training to students of religious seminaries in various skills along with Islamic teaching.