KP govt to expand skills recognition programme across province

PESHAWAR, Aug 30 (APP): The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government has decided to extend the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) programme to all districts to provide skilled workers with formal recognition and certification of their existing expertise and improve their access to employment opportunities.

The initiative is aimed at bridging the gap between informal skills and the formal labour market by assessing workers’ prior experience and competencies. The certification is expected to enhance the employability and professional mobility of skilled individuals at both national and international levels.

Provincial Minister for Labour Faisal Khan Turkai during a visit to the Government Monotechnic Institute Gadoon Amazai on Sunday said that technical and vocational education was essential for promoting self-reliance and dignified employment.

He urged the skilled people to register with relevant skills development programmes so they could benefit from assessment, certification, training and better job opportunities.

The minister reviewed the RPL initiative and interacted with trainees and students. More than 500 students, trainees and staff members attended the event.

Certificates were distributed among successful RPL trainees, while high-achieving students of the DIT programme received awards for securing first, second and third positions.

The three-day RPL training programme provided training to male and female participants through professional trainers from Shah Rukh Shehroz Academy.

Officials said the programme was consistent with the broader objectives of the International Labour Organization regarding skills development, decent work and workforce empowerment.

Secretary Workers Welfare Board KP (Technical and Vocational Education) Sher Alam Khan and Director Administration Saifullah Zafar accompanied the provincial minister during the visit.