QUETTA: Importance of technical and vocational education and training was highlighted during a session organised by the Balochistan Technical Education and Vocational Training Authority (BTEVTA) here on Tuesday to sensitise the media on the matter.

The role, mandate, and functions of the BTEVTA were shared with the participants of the programme.

BTEVTA Director Zamran Marri said that the age of 58 per cent of Balochistan`s population ranged between 1 and 19, adding it was necessary to impart competency-based training to the youth.Director General of National Vocational and Technical Training Commission Abdul Rauf Baloch said that new initiatives included the national vocational qualification framework,nationalTVET(technical education and vocational training) policy, accreditation of TVET institutes and competency-based curricula.

BTEVTA is initiating competency-based training(CBT) courses which will ensure greater involvement of the industry in the delivery of vocational training besides helping boys and girls att ain employable skills. These courses will be offered at six selected BTEVTA institutes across the province.

Mr Marri said that the private sec-Director General of National Vocational and Technical Training Commission Abdul Rauf Baloch said that new initiatives included the national vocational qualification framework,nationalTVET(technical education and vocational training) policy, accreditation of TVET institutes and competency-based curricula.

BTEVTA is initiating competency-based training(CBT) courses which will ensure greater involvement of the industry in the delivery of vocational training besides helping boys and girls att ain employable skills. These courses will be offered at six selected BTEVTA institutes across the province.

Mr Marri said that the private sec-tor`s involvement in the planning and delivery of the TVET was very important, adding that CBT courses would help bring training in conformity with the marl(et needs.

According to him, 14 new courses has been designed under the CBT, including beauty therapy, hair stylist, skincare, computer operator, web designing and development, graphic designing, e-commerce, heating and ventilation, AC/electronics technician, building electrician, solar panel installation and plumber solar panel water heater installation.

He said the CBT was one of the innovative approaches to reduce unemployment in the province.

Additional Secretary Education, Balochistan, Hayat Kakar also spoke.