The youth in Pakistan has been suffering from various problems such as starvation, poverty, education, health, drug exploitation, childhood felony, recreational events and the serious issue of unemployment. Nevertheless, the best approach to curbing unemployment is to develop various skills among youth.
We have seen that those countries which provide training in various skills to their youths ensure a better future for themselves and progress rapidly. Neglecting the youth proves disastrous for any country, so we must ensure a better future for our youth.
The Sindh government's efforts towards producing skills among the youth through the Benazir Bhutto Shaheed Youth Development Programme were a good initiative. It has provided training to more than 100,000 youths of Sindh. Trainees between the ages of 18 and 35 at various department levels have been provided training in different disciplines. Besides, a stipend is also paid to all trainees. After getting their training, they are bound to get jobs on their own or start their own business. It is a unique kind of programme.
Sindh is the economic hub of Pakistan. Out of the total labour force of province 32.73, a ratio of around 55% is from the age group 18-35 years who needs guidance and skill building to outshine in competitive global marketplace. Traditionally, training and development was not viewed as a movement that could help youth earn "value", "livelihoods" and successfully deal with competitive challenges. With acceptance of significance of education and intervention of technology, the vision has changed and skill trainings are considered an essential component to take up the challenges of this information age.
Insofar, under BBSYDP Programme, approximately 137,000 trainees either have graduated or are getting training in 387 different trades/courses under public and private sectors' wings.
(The writer is PROVINCIAL COORDINATOR BENAZIR BHUTTO SHAHEED YOUTH DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME)