NAVTEC to launch free skills’ development courses in livestock
Staff Report

ISLAMABAD—National Vocational & Technical Education Commission (NAVTEC) in collaboration with the reputed agricultural universities of Pakistan will be launching 21 courses related to livestock, dairy and related disciplines from 22 January 2007, says an announcement of the Commission issued here Saturday.
These training courses have been started on the directive of the President and under Prime Minister's initiative for skills development. The courses are offered for jobless matriculate youth and are aimed at providing skilled manpower to Pakistan's growing economy and for meeting the demand for such trained manpower overseas.
The include poultry farm management, poultry disease protection, dairy herd management, animal nutrition, fisheries and aquarium management, bee keeping, silk worm management, wool technology, cattle & horse hoof management, quail farming, game bird production, animal restraint - crating & transportation, ostrich - turkey & rabbit production, pet care, camel breeding, meat production & processing, and artificial insemination & reproductive health management of dairy animals.
The courses are being offered free of charge and course participants will be paid a stipend of Rs. 1000/- per month. Last date to apply for these courses is 10 January 2007 while the courses will start from 22 January 2007 at University of Agriculture Faisalabad, University of Veterinary & Animal Sciences Lahore, Islamia University Bahawalpur and Baha-ud-Din Zakriya University Multan. List of successful applicants will be displayed on 16 January 2006 on the notice boards of the Departments of Continuing Education of the respective universities or at the offices of the Registrars. Further information can be obtained from Dr. Mahmood Ahmed Randhawa, Chairman, Department of Continuing Education, University of Agriculture - Faisalabad, Tel 041-9201212.
Chairman NAVTEC, Mr. Altaf Saleem, in his remarks said that agriculture sector, and particularly dairy sector, has huge potential for growth and the proposed courses will help the candidates to get jobs or start their own business. He said emphasis of these courses will be on market related skills leading to employability. Enhancing the vocational skills of unemployed youth will raise the income of the poor families and help alleviate poverty, he added
Women candidates and candidates from Balochistan, FATA and Earthquake Affected Areas will be given preference to participate in these courses. Both male and female candidates aged between 18-35 years are eligible.
Agriculture sector contribution to economy is 23% of the GDP and employs 44.8% of our labour force. Livestock, being the largest sub-sectors of agriculture, counts for 46.8% of agricultural value addition.