In November 2019, the council met Mr. Mian Imran Masood (Vice Chancellor of USA, Lahore and member of Punjab HEC) at Serena Hotel, Islamabad on November 6, 2019 to explicate the aim, scope and future of Sector Skills Council RE. Additionally, further progress was made in fulfilling the pre-requisites for registering the council with the SECP – after obtaining relevant documents from two out of its three promoters. The council is, currently, awaiting requisite documents from Sona Welfare Foundation in order to present its case at the concerned SECP office for obtaining license under Section-42 of the Companies Act 2017.

Moreover, the council circulated the Labour Market Information (LMI) survey among its members as well as those of Independent Power Producers Association (IPPA). However, a glitch in the LMI form from the hosting end and subsequent protracted response from the members side has resulted in the delay of compiling a comprehensive Labour Demand Analysis Report.

The Convener of Sector Skills Council RE also delivered a presentation regarding council activities and its future aspirations at Asian Development Bank’s MTR workshop held at the PC Hotel, Lahore on November 18, 2019. The presentation was met with a very positive response especially from ADB’s side as Mr. Alexander Siboni suggested the council to submit a budget proposal for supporting its activities during a timeframe of 2 years. The council in consultation with the GIZ has submitted a budget estimate covering activities as per its vision and scope and looking forward to a positive response from ADB’s end. Meanwhile, this activity enabled the council to review and update its Budget, to be presented before the SECP, and seek guidance in acquiring prior permissions from concerned SECP offices in regards to foreign funding.

Overall, the Council remains engaged in several concomitant activities ranging from membership drive, sector mapping, PR campaigns and interactions with potential stakeholders and interested parties. With governmental oversight from NAVTTC, Technical support from GIZ, and international endorsement from Norwegian, EU and German Embassy; SSC-RE is constantly endeavouring to represent private sector’s interest as per ground realities and dynamic challenges that present themselves.