From being a fresh graduate to becoming an oil and gas industry specialist

“After applying my classroom learnings at Dewan Cement Limited plant site in Hattar-Haripur, I got multiple offers for my further career. Once the companies see your actual potential, choices suddenly open up.”, says Waleed Hassan.

Waleed Hassan is a graduate from this year’s technology batch at the Government College of Technology in Haripur. Waleed’s effort at the college paid off. He successfully applied for the Build4Skills training programme – a global initiative supported by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) that promotes practical training and turns construction sites into learning sites. Waleed became one of the prestigious Build4Skills trainees.

Turning point in life

Bridging the gap between classroom learning and real-world application marked a turning point in Waleed’s career. For two months, the 19 years old worked at an industrial site at the Dewan Cement Limited plant site in Hattar, Haripur. Throughout the programme, Waleed was recognised as a quick learner, demonstrating a strong work ethic and a keen desire to master his craft. Upon completing the Workplace-Based-Training programme, Waleed got an opportunity at MOL Pakistan Oil & Gas Company, where he was selected for a Technical Trainee (Electrical) position.

Waleed’s talent attracts attention

This one-year extensive training programme, with a monthly stipend of 40,000 PKR, offered Waleed the chance to gain specialised experience in the oil and gas industry, further enhancing his technical knowledge. Simultaneously, Waleed’s talent also attracted attention from the British High Commission, which offered him a role as an Electronic Technician in Islamabad. However, Waleed’s thirst for more advanced technical knowledge led him to pursue higher education. Eager to expand his expertise, he enrolled in the Bachelor of Electrical Engineering programme at Pak-Austria Fachhochschule: Institute of Applied Sciences and Technology (PAF-IAST), one of the country’s leading universities.

Build4Skills bridges the gap between education and industry needs

Waleed’s success story showcases the immense value of the Build4Skills Programme in bridging the gap between education and industry, and empowering young professionals to pursue excellence in their careers.

About Build4Skills

Build4Skills is a project funded by the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and implemented by Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ). Build4Skills aims to broaden access to TVET while improving its quality. The intention behind practical TVET aligned to the needs of the labour market is to improve the employability of graduates and give them decent employment opportunities. At the same time, the private sector in the partner countries stands to benefit from gains in productivity and competitiveness as a result of having access to appropriately skilled workers.