Karachi: The Korangi Association of Trade and Industry (KATI) and the Sindh Technical Education and Vocational Training Authority (STEVTA) have reached an agreement to strengthen their collaboration to develop a skilled workforce in partnership with the industrial sector. Junaid Buland, Special Assistant to the Chief Minister of Sindh and STEVTA Chairman, announced plans to close 350 non-functional institutions while working with industries to provide vocational training and employment opportunities for youth.
According to a statement by Korangi Association of Trade and Industry, Junaid Buland, during his visit to KATI, highlighted that out of 660 private educational institutions in Sindh, 350 are inactive or non-functional and will be shut down. Currently, 258 institutions operate under STEVTA's supervision, with plans to establish 30 more. Collaborating with KATI, STEVTA aims to provide professional training and job opportunities to young people.
The meeting was attended by KATI President Junaid Naqi, Senator Abdul Haseeb Khan, KATI Vice President Tariq Hussain, Standing Committee Chairman Saleemuddin, Razzak Hashim Paracha, senior STEVTA officials, and numerous industrialists.
Junaid Buland emphasized STEVTA's commitment to supporting public-private partnerships, following directives from the Pakistan People's Party leadership to ensure workforce development. He stressed the necessity of industry collaboration to align student training with industry demands and mentioned plans to hire expert instructors and vocational specialists.
KATI President Junaid Naqi called for a review of the Apprenticeship Act 2023, noting its flawed implementation. He explained that industries face challenges due to the requirement that 10% of their workforce must consist of STEVTA graduates or certified professionals, citing a limited availability of such trained individuals.
Naqi urged vocational training institutions to modernize curricula and emphasized the need for training centers under public-private partnerships for better skill development.
Senator Abdul Haseeb Khan underscored the importance of focusing on health, education, and the economy for Pakistan's progress. He stated that a healthy workforce performs better, education enhances skill development, and economic strength relies on improvements in both health and education.
Standing Committee Chairman Saleemuddin pointed out the limited internship opportunities in Karachi's industrial sector, noting that many students struggle to find placements and lack the necessary experience and technical skills to operate industrial machinery. He called for a joint strategy between KATI and STEVTA to address this issue.