Women to be equipped with modern technical skills: DG NAVTEC
By Hina Kiyani

ISLAMABAD—The first batch of 77 women completed model technical training programme at Government Polytechnic Institute for Women (GPIW) here Wednesday.
Mr. Muhammad Razi Abbas, Director General, National Vocational &Technical Education Commission (NAVTEC) distributed a stipend amongstthe successful trainees. Some of the trainees have got jobs in public and private organizationsincluding NADRA, private leasing agencies while most of the participants of beautician course are in the process of starting their own beauty saloons. These training courses have been started on the directive of the President and under Prime Minister’s initiative for skills development aimed at economic empowerment of women.
Mr. Razi Abbas in his address said that female ratio in overall labourforce participation rate is 11.16% in the country. He said this ratio will be increased through enhancing the skills of educated women which facilitate them in a gainful employment. Micro credit banks are beingencouraged to give small loans to women who wish to start their own business.
He informed that average annual remittances of Pakistani workers are about US$ 680 while the average for workers from Philippines is US$ 1385 and for Indonesia is US$ 1259. Remittances of Pakistani labour force working overseas can be doubled if their skills are enhanced, he added.
The NAVTEC official invited private sector to hold job fairs and providemore internship opportunities to the second batch of such courses which will be started soon. He reiterated the commitment that all future courses will be demand driven and according to market needs. Engr. Farida Javed, Principal of the institute informed that the courseswere designed with the involvement of the private sector. She said that private sector professionals were invited as guest speakers and most of the students completed their internship at private sector institutions including City Bank, State Life Insurance Corporation, Deewan Forooq Motors, Netover Lease & Refinance, etc.
Ms Rifat Naheed, a beautician course participant from Dera Ismail Khanthanked the Commission for initiating such programmes. “I feel empowered to play my due role in society and plan to start my own beauty saloon at my city,” said Naeed. Similarly, Ms Tahira Yasmin who got job in NADRA as Customer Services Officer said the course helped her to polish her communication skills which were helpful in getting a job. Second batch of the courses of office automation & management, AutoCAD, receptionist, beautician, and accounts assistant will start from end January 2007.