In a major development at Gwadar, the signing ceremony for the joint operation agreement of Pak-China Technical and Vocational Institute (PCT & VI), built with a Chinese grant under CPEC was held at Gwadar Business Center on Monday. The joint operation agreement was signed among Shandong Institute of Commerce and Technology (SICT), Gwadar Port Authority (GPA), The University of Gwadar (UoG), China Overseas Ports Holding Company (COPHC) for providing free of cost six-month short courses and three-year diploma programmes with hands-on technical and professional training to thousands of youths of Gwadar.

Participants will be students of the first batch of representative students from University of Gwadar, local employees of COPHC, GPA and COPHC officers. While teachers and officers from SICT will be joining the ceremony online. Pak-China Technical and Vocational Institute (PCT & VI) was gifted and handed over by the Chinese government to GPA in September 2021 with an intent to train, prepare and equip the youth of Gwadar / Makran / Balochistan with skill sets for the future needs of Gwadar port, Free zones, smart city, new international airport and other CPEC projects pertaining to commerce, marine industry, market-based businesses, modern fish practices, real estate, tourism, construction and hospitality and other allied industries.

As per the joint operation agreement, GPA is responsible for supplying spaces and supporting facilities to meet the requirements of teaching, office, and accommodation in the existing new building of PCT & VI. It will cooperate with all government departments to handle relevant procedures as per Pakistan laws and regulations. It will also coordinate with COPHC for internship and preferential employment of qualified students of PCT & VI. University of Gwadar will be responsible for the operationalisation of the institute at international standards. It will coordinate with GPA for daily managing, academic and administrative activities, operating expenses, This PCT & VI possesses 7,350 square meters as a total floor area comprising teaching buildings, training workshops, multi-function halls and dormitories for students and faculty.

GPA official told Gwadar Pro that last year during preliminary temporary arrangements, around 150 trainees passed six-month short courses in collaboration with National Vocational and Technical Commission (NAVTAC) of Pakistan under Prime Minister’s Youth Skills Development programme. The first batch of students under temporary dispensation received on-site skilled and professional training in five trades including Cargo Handling, Office Management, Chinese Language, Crane Operation and Financial Accounting. COPHC Chairman Zhang Boazhong said that “young people of Gwadar are the main and fundamental stakeholders of Port City of Gwadar. 

Their participation in the operation and management of the deep-sea port, participation in industrial and commercial businesses, and urbanisation processes is key to all long-term developmental initiatives. This PCT & VI aims to shape and enhance the skills of the active population of Gwadar to participate in the growth of the Port City.” The development has unleashed employment for Gwadar youth especially females in the business activities to be generated under the Gwadar master plan that reveals that the coastal city will create 1.2 million jobs for skilled workers and professionals with economic output exceeding $30 billion.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan-INP