Chief Secretary reviews RISE programme to create jobs for youth in six districts

QUETTA: A meeting on the RISE programme was held under the chairmanship of Chief Secretary Balochistan Shakeel Qadir Khan. It was given a detailed briefing on the programme’s projects, progress so far and new employment opportunities for young people.

The Chief Secretary said the provincial government was taking comprehensive steps to provide people with dignified employment, bring out the abilities of young people and equip them with modern technical and vocational training. He said the government’s first priority was the welfare of the people, economic independence and a better standard of living. Projects were being launched with this aim to give young people jobs, skills and business opportunities.

He expressed the resolve that the government would use all available resources to take the fruits of development to the doorsteps of the people of Balochistan and to give the province’s youth a bright and secure future.

The meeting was told that, under the RISE programme, special attention was being paid to teaching young people modern, market-based skills so that they could earn a dignified living. Steps are under way under the programme to link young people with technical and vocational training, business opportunities, financial support and various fields of employment.

Six districts, 16,500 households

The briefing said the programme covered six districts: Panjgur, Kharan, Washuk, Gwadar, Awaran and Kech. Under the project, 57,464 micro-enterprises will be set up. A total of 4,320 young people will be given technical and vocational training and linked with jobs. Some 1,620 climate-resilient infrastructure projects will be built and 180 local organisations will be strengthened.

In addition, 900 young people will be trained as social change agents. A total of 12,000 young people and business owners will get access to financial services and easy loans. The 180 small and medium-sized businesses to be strengthened will create job opportunities for another 1,800 households. These steps will help protect the livelihoods and economic activity of about 16,500 households from climate risks.

Under the programme, several key sectors and trades have been included in the districts of Kharan, Panjgur and Washuk. They include dates, cotton, wheat, cumin, livestock, handmade Balochi embroidery and food processing.

Flight crew training with Southern Air

With the cooperation of Southern Air, young people from Balochistan will be given flight crew training. This will give them the chance to build careers in aviation, find jobs with airlines and learn professional skills related to modern air travel. Work with Tech Valley will also begin soon.

Secretary Industries Khalid Sarparah, Chief Executive Officer of the Balochistan Rural Support Programme Dr Tahir Rasheed and others attended the meeting.

Photo: courtesy DG PR Balochistan