Water and Power Development Authority (Wapda) is committed to imparting vocational training to the Mangla Dam Raising Project (MDRP) victims so as to enhance their earning skills from the economic activity generated in the area by way of implementation of the project.
A spokesman of Wapda said here on Wednesday that as many as 31 victims have already received vocational training in Construction Machinery Training Institute (CMTI) Islamabad, while at present 25 trainees are attending three courses and more are being inducted in fresh courses on regular basis.
Selection of the trainees is made on the recommendation of Govt of Azad Jammu & Kashmir. While training continues in CMTI, Wapda has already planned establishment of a Vocational Training Institute (VTI) in the proposed New City near Mirpur and four Vocational Training Schools for males, one each in four small towns being developed for the victims.
Vocational training to females is planned in four existing 'Dastkari' schools, one each in Mirpur, Islamgarh, Chaksawari and Dudial being run by the AJK Social Welfare Department. An up-gradation plan has been prepared jointly by Wapda and the AJK Govt and AJK Government is now initiating its implementation.
Wapda's Member (Water) while appreciating satisfactory progress has advised to expedite the process of up-gradation of 'Dastkari' schools for females and establishment of vocational training institutes.