Lahore - Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) is collaborating with TEVTA to improve technical education and vocational training (TVET) system across Punjab.

JICA has already provided 860 million Yen for the installation of machinery and equipment at Mechanical and Architecture Departments of Government College of Technology Railway Road, Lahore. The project is successfully working. 

JICA will also provide 614 million Yen Assistance and Grant-in-Aid to TEVTA between 2016-2019 for development of the Government College of Technology Faisalabad as Center of Excellence and upgradation of other 13 Government Colleges of Technologies across Punjab.

This was stated by TEVTA Chairperson Irfan Qaiser Sheikh while addressing a seminar, ‘JICA support to promote TVET system in Punjab’ held here on Sunday.

Chief Operating Officer Jawad Ahmed Qureshi, JICA Chief Tojo Yasuhiro, JICA Project Chief Noboru Kabisu, JICA experts Masami Tsuyuki, Yoichi Tsuchiya, Kuniaki Kowatari and others were also present on the occasion.

Sheikh said that 46 Master Trainers had already been trained in different sectors of Mechanical Technology, including CNC Machine, Tig Mig Welding, Cad Kam Designing & Industrial Planning and Products.

“TEVTA is doing all it could on the directives of Chief Minister Punjab,” he said, and added, “Cooperation of JICA will be helpful in exporting trained manpower in the field of Mechanical Technology so that it could get better jobs.”

The TEVTA chairperson further said that the basic purpose for establishing the center of excellence at GCT Faisalabad and upgradation of 13 colleges was to provide trained manpower as per needs of the industry at national and international level. “The main feature of this new project is to revise curriculum for mechanical technology, provision of equipment and training of trainers,” he said, and added, “Setting up a Job Placement Cell at district level and at institutes will also be a part of this project.”

Chief Operating Officer Jawad Ahmed Qureshi and JICA Chief Tojo Yasuhiro also addressed the seminar.