Street youth get certificates on completion of vocational training

KARACHI: Street youth between the ages of 14 and 20 years received certificates on completion of six month vocational training under a development programme focussed on street youth. The graduation ceremony of these excited youth held on Monday evening was witness to the keenness of these young boys and their counterparts to lead an empowered life. The programme was a joint venture of Habib University Foundation (HUF), Initiator Human Development Foundation, supported by Sindh Youth Affairs Department and was implemented at the Institute for Advancing Careers and Talents (IACT). The programme initially started as a public private partnership project equipped ten street youth with basic technical skills in dress designing and facilitated their personal development and grooming. Transport facility and a monthly stipend were also given to the program participants for easy accessibility. Sindh Minister for Youth Affairs Jam Madad Ali handed certificates to graduates of Street Youth Development Programme. He commended HUF’s efforts for the promotion of education for street youth and also lauded its other programs including ILEAD, INSPYRE and YES, meant to benefit youth and channel their energies in a positive direction. The minister said that the government was keen to replicate the success stories of this initiative and would continue to support the cause of education through its youth driven projects. During the ceremony, graduates shared their views and experiences of the program with the audience. “I learnt a lot from my classes at IACT and feel confident enough to apply for a job after this. I appreciate the learning opportunities that were provided to me through this program,” graduate Arjun Iqbal said. Other prominent guests at the event included Sindh Secretary for Sports and Youth Affairs Shoaib Ahmed Siddiqui and Director Sindh Youth Affairs Department Khurshid Ali Shaikh. app.