KARACHI:

The All Pakistan Marble Industries Association (APMIA) and the National Vocational and Technical Training Commission (NAVTTC) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for developing skilled manpower in the mining sector.

APMIA Chairman Muhammad Bilal Khan told The Express Tribune that the agreement was aimed at providing professional training to the workforce by introducing modern technology in mining and processing sectors. In that regard, an APMIA delegation met NAVTTC DG Planning Shafiq Dogar, Executive Director Muhammad Aamir Jan and other officials.

The meeting concluded with the decision to designate factories in Pakistan’s 10 different zones as training institutes for producing skilled labour in mining and processing sectors.

Bilal Khan stated that through mutual cooperation, skill development courses would be promoted in the dimension stone industry and labour would be provided training in mining, processing and value addition by utilising modern technology. This initiative is expected to create more employment opportunities for youth in this non-traditional sector.

He emphasised that the goal was to modernise the local dimension stone industry with support of the government, so that the sector could play a significant role in strengthening Pakistan’s economy.