President of the Korangi Association of Trade and Industry (KATI) Junaid Naqi on Tuesday called for an urgent alignment of Pakistan’s technical education system with industrial demands.
During a meeting held with Sindh Technical Education and Vocational Training Authority (STEVTA) Managing Director Tariq Manzoor and his delegation, Naqi underscored that the future prosperity of Pakistan’s industrial sector lies in cultivating a skilled and trained workforce.
Naqi highlighted the necessity of embedding entrepreneurship into the educational curriculum to enable the youth to generate their own employment opportunities, rather than merely seeking jobs. “The primary aim of technical education should be to empower the youth with self-reliance, not just to make them job-seekers,” he asserted. He urged STEVTA to collaborate with KATI and other industrial associations to modernize vocational training and adapt curricula to meet current industry standards. Naqi proposed the creation of Skill Hubs in every industrial zone to offer targeted skills training.
In response, STEVTA MD Tariq Manzoor assured that the authority is committed not only to imparting skills but also to empowering young individuals. He announced plans for STEVTA to work in tandem with the private sector, ensuring that technical training aligns with industrial needs. “We want every STEVTA institution to be linked with industry, so that students graduate with practical skills, ready to either secure employment or launch their own businesses,” Manzoor stated. He emphasized the importance of public-private partnerships, revealing ongoing efforts to expand technical institutions through such cooperative frameworks.
Saleemuddin, Chairman of KATI’s Standing Committee on Technical Education and Vocational Training, stressed the importance of connecting more educational institutions in Korangi and other industrial zones with STEVTA’s model institutes. Senior Vice President Ijaz Sheikh, alongside KATI members Ehteshamuddin and Maheen Salman, also advocated for enhancing training quality and improving instructor skills.
The meeting featured comprehensive discussions on fortifying technical education, building a skilled workforce, expanding internship opportunities, and fostering entrepreneurship throughout Sindh.