USAID,COTHM Sign Memorandum Of Understanding

LAHORE, (Muzaffargarh.City – 2nd May, 2018 ) :United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Wednesday signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the College of Tourism and Hotel Management (COTHM) to support training and education in the hospitality sector to the youth in the Southern Punjab.

The MoU was signed by USAID/Pakistan Mission Director, Jerry Bisson and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Ahmed Shafiq. Provincial Director USAID Punjab, Lea Swansea was also present. The MoU is in continuation of the USAID project Punjab Youth Workforce Development (PYWD).

It invests in youth by providing technical and vocational education and employment opportunities to around 10,000 youth between the ages of 16 and 29 out of which 35 per cent are female from the south Punjab districts of Multan, Lodhran, Bahawalpur, and Muzaffargarh.

The three-year program PYWD complements Punjab government’s policy to provide skill development opportunities to the Pakistani youth.

Speaking at, USAID/Pakistan Mission Director, Jerry Bisson stated that, “Pakistan’s youth is the future of the country and I believe that investing in them will build their capacity to develop and grow as the leaders of tomorrow.” The MOU was signed during a roundtable on business partnerships by the USAID which served as a platform for professionals in the technical and vocational training sector, including representatives from Fatima Memorial Hospital (FMH), Punjab Vocational Training Council (PVTC), and Lahore Restaurants Association (LRA), to share their expertise and knowledge on youth skills development in market-driven trades.

A tripartite agreement was also signed between FMH, PVTC and PYWD project with the objectives of upgrading PVTC’s clinical assistant course and of engaging in youth skills development for the provision of quality healthcare services.