By IANS,
Islamabad : A US agency that extends assistance to countries recovering from disaster and trying to escape poverty is helping Pakistani women learn skills in information technology.
Twenty Pakisani women employees working in engineering, customer service, commercial, and revenue departments at that Islamabad Electric Supply Company are receiving training from the US Agency for International Development (USAID), Online news agency reported.
The training under the USAID’s Power Distribution Improvement Programme is aimed at strengthening the staff at government-owned electric power distribution companies.
The goals of the programme are to match international standards by reducing losses, increasing revenues and improving customer services.
“The US government believes that improving Pakistani expertise in energy distribution will lead to a more stable and economically vibrant Pakistan,” said Marilyn Wyatt, wife of US Ambassador Cameron Munter.
“IT training, particularly for female employees, will help bring long-lasting and sustainable improvements in the delivery of energy,” she said.
More than 450 employees have already received IT training. Another 700 employees will be trained by November.
To help Pakistan become self-sufficient in energy, USAID is also helping complete construction of three dams, renovate power plants, and introduce more efficient technologies that will reduce energy use in the agriculture sector.