LAHORE - Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani has said huge emphasis will be given to technical and vocational training in the new education policy. He was addressing the certificate awarding ceremony of 1st batch of various technical and vocational courses of Rangers Institute of Technical Education (RITE) at Rangers Headquarters here on Saturday. Lahore Corps Commander Lt. Gen. Ejaz Ahmed Bakhshi, Director General Rangers (Punjab) Maj. Gen. Muhammad Yaqub Khan, NAVTEC Chairman Adnan A. Khawaja, TEVTA Chairman Mohsin Syed, RITE Director Col. Ghulam Raza were also present. Gilani maintained that the government wanted to implement an education policy, which was in accordance with the wishes of the people and had greater focus on technical aspects of education. For this, all relevant quarters are being consulted in formulation of education policy, which will cater to all sections of the society, he added, while observing that that technical and vocational training would turn students into a skilled workforce having ample job opportunities, which would ultimately save them from becoming militants and extremists, who focus on jobless people to use them as tool to achieve their nefarious designs. Technical education will not only help make the youth useful citizens but also enable them to support their families in a dignified manner, he said. Gilani said the young generation was the nation builder for the future, and hoped that they would bring Pakistan at par with developed countries of the world. Industrialisation, trade and skilled workforce is the essence of development of any nation and that is why present government is taking rock-solid steps to achieve targets in this regard, he said. Gilani appreciated role of Pakistan Rangers, NAVTEC, TEVTA, private organisations and philanthropists for playing an effective role in promotion of technical education. The Premier said that the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Malaysia had assured him of provision of jobs to Pakistanis having work skills required in their respective countries. The Prime Minister announced a grant of Rs 50 million for construction of RITE students hostel and provision of equipment. He also announced provision of a tool-kit to each student of the 1st batch. He awarded appreciation certificates to the position holders of various technical and vocational courses, which were started from January 1, 2009. Earlier, Gilani laid a floral wreath at the monument of martyrs of Rangers; recorded his impression in the visitors log and inaugurated the newly-constructed auditorium, where the certificate awarding ceremony was held.