One hundred and seventy thousand youth will be trained by National Vocational and Technical Training Commission under Prime Minister's Hunarmand Pakistan programme. 

In an interview with Radio Pakistan's News and Current Affairs Channel at National Broadcasting House in Islamabad on Friday, Executive Director, NAVTTC Dr Nasir Khan said that under the programme youth will be trained in the latest technologies according to the demand of the industry.

He said the courses will comprise three and six month trainings and candidates of all educational levels can benefit from this initiative. The courses will be started at 558 centers across the country. The skill development training will be provided in the fields of Artificial Intelligence, Robotics, Computing, Information Technology and traditional programmes. 

Executive Director NAVTTC said the courses were launched on 9th of this month after the launch of Hunarmand Pakistan Programme by the Prime Minister. The admission in these free of cost courses will continue till 24th of this month.

He said that China is providing latest equipment worth 600 million rupees to NAVTTC that will be used   for creating smart class rooms. He said with the help of China, Centers of Excellence will also be set up across the country.

The technical training teachers will be trained by master trainers from China. He said that NAVTTC is also going to start joint degree programmes in collaboration with Australia, Germany and United Kingdom.

Executive Director NAVTTC said that 30 percent quota has been reserved for female candidates while more female candidates can join NAVTTC on merit. 

He said that 600,000 trained youth are on the data bank of NAVTTC and this data is provided to the concerned ministries and departments for employment purpose in the country and abroad.

Saeed/ Ahsan