Senator Rubina Khalid emphasizes importance of skill development opportunities in Pakistan to address the global demand for skilled labor

ISLAMABAD, March 24 (SABAH): Chairperson Benazir Income Support Programme, Senator Rubina Khalid, presided over a productive meeting today with the BISP Skill Development team, as well as representatives from the World Bank and Jazz, at the BISP Headquarters in Islamabad. Present at the meeting were BISP Consultant Aun Sahi, Vice President of Hashoo Group Asif Raza, President of the Pak Hotel Association Mr. Mansoor, World Bank representative Kiran Afzal, and Mobilink Jazz’s Rabia Khattak.

During the meeting, Senator Rubina Khalid emphasized the importance of skill development opportunities in Pakistan to address the global demand for skilled labor. She highlighted the immense potential of Pakistan’s human resources, noting that the country is home to a large pool of talented individuals who could contribute to various industries if linked with technical institutions and employment opportunities. “We must connect skilled individuals with technical institutions and industries to ensure that they can effectively contribute to the workforce, both in Pakistan and abroad,” said Senator Rubina Khalid.

She also discussed the BISP’s efforts through the Benazir Hunarmand Programme, which would provide skill training to deserving families under the BISP. The program aims to empower beneficiaries with the necessary skills to access job opportunities and achieve financial independence, making their lives easier. She stressed that international standard certifications will enable BISP beneficiaries to access employment opportunities abroad, thus further enhancing their economic well-being. “The importance of skill training in fields like nursing, homecare, hospitality, e-commerce, and artificial intelligence cannot be overstated,” said Senator Rubina Khalid.

“We must also ensure that work ethics, morality, and cleanliness are incorporated into the training to enhance the employability of our beneficiaries.” Chairperson BISP called upon all stakeholders to collaborate with BISP to devise an effective strategy for the demand-driven skill training of BISP beneficiaries and their families, ensuring that they are equipped with the skills needed for today’s job market. Representatives from the World Bank, Jazz, and other attendees praised BISP’s skill training initiative and expressed their full support for the program. They assured their cooperation in enhancing the scope and impact of the project.