As many as 3.2 per cent youth is entering every year into the job market without any proper vocational and technical skills, said Farooq Yusuf, Acting President Faisalabad Chamber of Commerce & Industry (FCCI).

Addressing Technical and Vocational Education Training (TVET) Conference on Wednesday, he said that Pakistan had blessed with ultimate resources and 45% youth was a major national asset.

“We must take necessary steps on war footings to impart them much needed vocational and technical skills,” he added.

Appreciating the role of the National Vocational & Technical Training Commission (NAVTTC) in providing training to the youth, he said. “Educated students also lack technical and vocational skills, hence, their absorption in the industrial sector is unviable,” he added.

He said the government must encourage the private sector to expand and create maximum job opportunities within the prevailing circumstances.

He said:” Our major industrial units should also establish their own training institutes to provide on-job training to their workers. The trained workforce would not only fulfill their in house needs with technological up-gradation but it could also be exported abroad to earn foreign exchange”.

He also appreciated the role of Zulfiqar Cheema, Executive Director NAVTTC, to impart vocational and technical training facility to the maximum youth in Pakistan.