The Salt Manufacturers Association of Pakistan (SMAP), in collaboration with the Prime Minister’s Youth Programme (PMYP) and the National Vocational & Technical Training Commission (NAVTTC), has announced the launch of a free technical training programme aimed at developing a skilled workforce for Pakistan’s salt industry.

In a joint statement, SMAP Founder Chairman Ismail Suttar, Chairperson Saima Akhtar, and former Chairman Qasim Yaqoob Paracha said the three-month programme will commence on August 24, with 100 students to be enrolled in the first batch. They said the initiative is designed to equip young men and women with industry-specific skills, enhance their employment prospects, and support the long-term growth of the country’s salt sector.

They said participants will receive comprehensive training in salt packaging and quality control, salt mining, export documentation, and the production of value-added salt products. The programme will comprise one month of classroom-based theoretical instruction, followed by two months of on-the-job training (OJT) at relevant industrial facilities, enabling participants to gain practical, hands-on industry experience.

The SMAP leadership said the initiative aims to address the shortage of skilled manpower in the salt industry, promote value addition, and boost Pakistan’s salt exports by producing industry-ready professionals. They added that the training has been structured to enhance participants’ technical expertise while aligning their skills with the evolving requirements of the industry.

According to the joint statement, participants will acquire practical knowledge and technical competencies that will improve their employability and contribute to greater productivity and competitiveness within the salt sector.

“The primary goal of this programme is to develop a trained workforce that meets the specific needs of the salt industry, promotes value addition in salt products, and ultimately boosts Pakistan’s exports,” they said.