On December 24, 2013, TUSDEC organized a graduation ceremony to award the certificates to the first two batches of solar technicians that have been trained in the areas of Photovoltaics (PV) and Solar Water Heating (SWH). In the pursuit of fostering the emerging solar industry, TUSDEC has joined hands with GiZ Pakistan to support the sector with the provision of technically trained manpower. The training programme is being implemented under GiZ FIT (Funds for Innovative Trainings) initiative where TUSDEC aims to train 125 students as solar technicians by March 2014. The programme is co-funded by the European Union, the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands and the Federal Republic of Germany and implemented through Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH in collaboration with National Vocational and Technical Training Commission (NAVTTC).
Alongside the certificate distribution ceremony, a meticulous display of candidates’ assignments was also arranged at the high-tech solar lab setup at NIDA Lahore. The lab has been outfitted with most modern equipment to punctuate more focus on the practical and industry driven trainings in solar technologies so that the graduates would be absorbed by the job market right away. The graduates at the ceremony asserted that they have been imparted with comprehensive theoretical and practical trainings in the testing, installation and trouble shooting of numerous kinds of solar panels which are currently in demand by the solar industry in the country. A job fair was also organized after the ceremony to enable an effective liaison between the industry and the graduates. Mr. Basit Maqsood Abbasi, CEO TUSDEC alongside Mr. Almas Hyder, Ex Chairman and founder of TUSDEC and higher officials from the solar industry awarded the students with the certificates. The guests from the industry extolled TUSDEC efforts and endeavors to support the solar power industry with relevant skilled manpower that is requisite for the proliferation of any specific technology. The dexterous solar technicians would further fuel up the development of solar technology in the country by curtailing the installation and maintenance costs. The programme is also focused at enabling livelihood opportunities for the youth through the provision of technical trainings in emerging fields. Technical trainings in conventional trades have germinated massive redundancy among the blue collar workers, it is the need of the hour to set a forward-looking approach for technical skill development to produce both adept and employable youth. The on-tap apposite workforce would also catalyze the development and promotion of renewable energy sources.
The event was attended by the prominent officials from TVET (Technical Vocational Education and Training) sector, public sector and enterprises in solar technologies. Copulative efforts from public, private and the non-profit sectors to work up the alternate energy sources will certainly help suffice the country’s accelerating energy needs on sustainable basis.
