Chinese companies to absorb Pakistani workforce under CPEC projects

By APD writer Muhammad Sohail

ISLAMABAD, March 10 (APD) - The Chinese companies engaged in the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) announced to develop a joint mechanism to absorb thousands of Pakistani skilled workforce in CPEC projects, it was learnt on Saturday.

According to officials from Pakistan’s National Vocational and Technical Training Commission (NAVTTC), Chinese companies had reached an agreement to form a joint mechanism with NAVTTC for the purpose.

Earlier, Chinese ambassador to Pakistan Yao Jing also had a meeting with Chairman and Executive Director of NAVTTC in Islamabad and discussed the plan.

“To enhance further collaboration with NAVTTC, CPEC Companies Association will present a draft Memorandum of Understanding in the near future”, the ambassador said.

“China-Pakistan Economic Corridor plan was living proof of friendship between Pakistan and China and the entire region would benefit from it, said the Chairman NAVTTC, Syed Javed Hassan.

Investment in youth is the only path towards economic development, said Hassan, adding that at present they are producing only 400,000 skilled people each year and we are committed to adding the number up to one million during the next 18 months.

"Socio-economic Development Group formed under CPEC framework will facilitate Pakistan in providing vocational training to its young population”, the ambassador said. 

He also said that China will help establish world class technical institutions along the route of CPEC where thousands of skilled people will be trained to meet the needs of local and global markets.

CPEC projects have already brought a big wave in Pakistan’s job market and have provided direct jobs to over 70,000 local Pakistanis during the last five years. Local experts believe that over half a million more job will be created under China backed CPEC project during the next five years.

(ASIA PACIFIC DAILY)