KA RACHI: Within the midst of a social fabric that is hell-bent on tearing itself, and others, down, The Hunar Foundation (THF) is toiling hard to mitigate this destruction. With the aid of a state-of-the-art vocational training institute, THF hosted an event on Friday at its campus to showcase the skill empowerment it is extending to children from less privileged background.

Vocational training was decided as the means to achieving a `skilled Pakistan`, and so a group of like-minded individuals came together to set up various institutes around the country that provide just that. What sets THF apart from other public sector institutes that also provide vocational training is the quality control. Affiliated with one of UK`s renowned skill development institutes, City and Guilds, students are equipped with and tested on different courses that include fabrication and welding, refrigeration and air conditioning, as well as other mechanical and manufacturing technologies. According to THF chairman Aslam Khaliq, this is not the extent to their education: `We also teach basic life skills, sports activities, encourage leadership and team work, impart English language skills as well as computer literacy. We wish to not only improve their career prospects, but also teach them the importance of work ethic.

With safety signs in abundance for visitors and students to adhere to, the campus is an impressive design that optimises space and allows a wide range of training to be conducted in a safe work space for students to learn and hone skills that will be of great benefit in the years to come. For Rehan Siddiqui, head of the department of refrigeration and air conditioning, `The THF caters to a specific segment of society that has no access to technical education to better their circumstances.

This is made possible through scholarships.

He spoke at length about the one-year diploma and the various modules that comprise it and how former graduates have moved on to secure stable jobs, while some are now pursuing further technical education. `Out ofthe 10 batches that have graduated, almost 22 per cent are working in countries such as Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Qatar. For those who are still in Pakistan, THF facilitates job placements within the industry.` Theoretical education is complemented with practical implementation and that sets apart THF graduates from others in the market, according to him.

The campus in itself is structured in such a way to educate students on alternative energy sources, and efficient building materials. In one corner, a large windmill pumps underground water for certain amenities, such as to water the gardens. In another, shipping containers have been renovated and structurally combined together to malce computer labs for the students.

Out of the 30 institutes THF aims to build, four are operational and three in the groundbreaking stage. Women, too, are given space in this project with an institute set up in Gizri that offers courses in hairdressing, beauty therapy and even teaching them skills required as sales representatives.

The vision is clear; empower the population of almost 50 million 17to 35-year-old people in the country that can allow it to rise from the ashes. THF believes that this vision is not possible in isolation which is why apart from inviting donors to fund their various projects, they have offered up their model to other individuals and institutes to emulate. Franchising and partnerships are possible with THF and the organisation is at the moment trying to integrate itself with different madressahs around the country to access a larger base of potential skilled workforce.

It was especially heartening to hear the stories from the students themselves. The refrain among all these was the same; underprivileged and without access to opportunities, these young voices were on a path that may not have ended well. And the lifeline THF provided deterred them to eventually land jobs in major multinational companies. Their stories reinforced THF`s basic premise; `A skilled person will never go hungry and a person given two square meals will never resort to violence.