LAHORE: The World Bank Senior Education Specialist, Human Development Unit for South Asian Region Ms Scherezad J Monami Latif, during a visit at Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), said that World Bank has been supporting the Punjab government in vocational training programme as the province witnessed growth in skilled labour.
She said that to get the desired results, training infrastructure in the province should be developed. She said that private sector and technical training institutes should enhance coordination so that and training providers could be aware of the training needs of the private sector.
Moreover, she said that private sector should be encouraged to take the management control of various public sector training schools. This will not only increase the efficiency of the training schools but would also ensure that relevant training is given.
She said that after having feedback from the Chambers of Commerce & Industry and other stakeholders, World Bank team would bring business community and private sector training institutes on one table.
Speaking on the occasion, LCCI President Ijaz A Mumtaz said Punjab is home to the largest chunk of population of the country with more or less 100 million people. He said that Pakistan’s total labor force is around 60.34 million, out of which Punjab’s share is 29.16 million. It is clear evidence as to how essential it is to train and properly guide the labor force of this particular province.
He said that we are facing severe problem of low productivity of labor which can only be addressed by enhancing their skills. For that matter, projects for skill development are need of the hour.
LCCI President said that that Lahore Chamber of Commerce & Industry not only plays a fostering role in nurturing the business activity in the country but has also played a vital role in the uplift of the labor force of this province. He said that utmost importance has always been given towards the technical and vocational skills of the laborers.
He said that LCCI happens to be the leading business support organization of the country which has strong linkages with skills and training sector both at public and private levels.
He said that LCCI has representation in many committees which are working for the up gradation of technical curriculum, procuring lab equipment, designing of new programs and for hiring of appropriate teaching staff members for various vocational and technical training schools. Moreover, he said, LCCI members represent private sector in boards of technical institutes which proves useful for the growth of this segment.
Ijaz A Mumtaz said that Public Private Partnership is a successful model and countries like Pakistan are managing their routine affairs through PPP (Public Private Partnership) in a much efficient way.
He said that it is high time that Pakistan must follow their footsteps and the representatives of public and private sectors must join hands to deliver better results.
