Daily Times

LAHORE: The Technical Education and Vocational Training Authority (TEVTA) in collaboration with the Rice Export Association of Pakistan (REAP) would offer three-month demand driven short courses for technicians, millers and machine operator for rice mills.

In this regard, a memorandum of understanding (MoU) ceremony was held TEVTA and REAP on Monday. TEVTA Chairman Irfan Qaiser Sheikh and REAP Chairman Muhammad Shafique signed the MoU on behalf of their respective companies.

REAP representatives on the occasion included Muhammad Kashif, Shahid Tarrat, Ali Hussam Afzal, Peer Nazim, Naveed Pirzada, Atique Salam, Taufeeq Ahmed, Riaz Ahmad and Aqib Chaudhry, while TEVTA was represented by Akhtar Abbas Bharwana, Azhar Iqbal Shad, Amir Aziz, Ayesha Qazi, Maqsood Ahmed, Uzma Nadia, Umber Chattha and Sarfraz Anwar.

Sheikh said that TEVTA and REAP were joining hands to enhance the employability of skilled workforce for the socio-economic upliftment of Pakistani youth. He said as many as 1,500 youth would be trained in these courses in one year, adding that all the courses would be offered in TEVTA designated institutes while two-month on-the-job trainings would be conducted at the rice mills nominated by REAP.

All trainees would be provided with a specific stipend during their training period, while TEVTA would also arrange faculty for these courses, the chairman said, adding that curricula would be designed after deliberations with REAP.

Meanwhile, he said, the Punjab Board of Technical Education would conduct the examination and pass outs would be provided certification. “TEVTA will also offer Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) certification to the uncertified workforce presently working in different member organisations of REAP,” he announced.

REAP Chairman Muhammad Shafique on the occasion said that the association has around 1,500 members across Pakistan who were constantly working for improvement in Pakistan’s quality of rice and introduction of new varieties both in Sindh and Punjab. “We will arrange placement of pass-outs in our member rice mills. The pass outs will be provided Rs 15,000 to 20,000 per month salary after the completion of course,” he concluded.