Quetta: The Balochistan Technical Education and Vocational Training Authority (BTEVTA), in collaboration with the Asian Development Bank (ADB), organized a major consultative meeting at the Quetta Chamber of Commerce and Industry (QCCI).
The primary objective of the session was to design technical and vocational training programs tailored to local industrial requirements and to generate employment opportunities for the province’s youth.
The meeting drew large-scale participation from industrial leaders, business community members, landowners, and representatives across key sectors, including hospitality, mining, tourism, construction, livestock, and commercial retail.
QCCI President Haji Muhammad Ayub Maryani, Vice President Engineer Mirwais Khan Kakar, and other chamber officials warmly welcomed the visiting delegation.
Addressing the participants, Managing Director of BTEVTA Abdul Kabeer Khan Zarkoon stated that the meeting aimed to build a robust partnership between BTEVTA and local industries.
He emphasized that BTEVTA intends to structure technical courses directly aligned with industry needs to ensure immediate job placement for trained youth upon completion.
Expressing gratitude to the BTEVTA leadership and ADB delegates, QCCI office-bearers welcomed the initiative, noting it as a landmark moment where a major technical institution proactively engaged with the business community to shape curriculum around market demand.
During the interactive session, business leaders shared key challenges and proposals. They highlighted that due to a shortage of locally trained personnel, businesses are frequently forced to hire skilled labor from other provinces at significant financial cost.
According to estimates presented at the meeting, Quetta’s hotel and restaurant sector alone currently faces a deficit of over 6,000 skilled workers.
Equipping local youth with these specialized skills would mark a significant step toward eradicating regional unemployment.
ADB representatives reaffirmed their commitment to collaborating with BTEVTA to provide high-quality vocational training across diverse sectors, aiming to uplift the local socio-economic landscape and curb unemployment.
Concluding the meeting, QCCI leadership and the broader business community pledged their full support to the BTEVTA-ADB joint venture, assuring complete cooperation to strengthen institutional and industrial synergies across Balochistan.