More than 200 young people from Christian and Muslim backgrounds graduated from the Don Bosco Technical and Youth Center in Lahore after completing vocational training aimed at improving employment opportunities and economic independence.
The graduation ceremony was held on September 8 at the center in Youhanabad, a predominantly Christian neighborhood in Lahore, Pakistan's second-largest city and capital of Punjab province.
Operated by the Salesians of Don Bosco (SDB), the center has provided technical and vocational training to young people in the area for 26 years. Its programs are designed to equip students with practical skills for employment, industry placement and self-employment while promoting social integration among youth from different religious communities.
The center is accredited by Pakistan's National Vocational and Technical Training Commission (NAVTTC), the Punjab Board of Technical Education (PBTE) and the Punjab Skills Development Authority (PSDA). It offers training in more than 40 technical trades.
The latest graduating class completed programs in fields including electrical work, heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) and refrigeration, information technology, welding and carpentry. Graduates received certificates marking their completion of the respective courses.
The ceremony began with the arrival of Fr. Noble Lal, SDB, rector of the center, and other invited guests, who were welcomed with rose petals, applause and live music.
Representing the graduating students, Nageen Davod thanked the center's management and faculty for their commitment to providing technical education. She encouraged her fellow graduates to put their skills into practice, uphold their values and contribute positively to society.
The ceremony also featured cultural performances, including tableaux and provincial dances presented by students as a gesture of welcome and an expression of national pride.
Addressing the graduates, Fr. Noble Lal commended them for their discipline and perseverance during their training. He encouraged them to use their technical skills responsibly, stressing the importance of skilled workers in achieving economic independence and contributing to the development of their communities.
Shakeel Marcous, a former Catholic parliamentarian and chief guest, congratulated the graduates, their families and the center's management.
He urged the young professionals to continue updating their skills in response to changing industry requirements. He also encouraged them to manage their finances responsibly as they enter the workforce and to help mentor other young people in their communities.
Among those attending were Father Andrew Wang, a missionary from the Philippines; Brother Piero, administrator of the New Don Bosco Secondary Higher School; Father Amjad Yousaf, director of the Renewal Center Lahore; and Father Imran Benjamin, a professor at St. Francis Xavier Seminary.
The speakers highlighted the importance of technical and vocational education in helping young people overcome unemployment and poverty and gain greater economic independence.
For the Salesians, the training center's work also reflects their wider mission of accompanying young people, particularly those from economically marginalized communities, through education, skills development and moral formation.
The ceremony concluded with prayers for the graduates as they prepare to enter the workforce and begin the next stage of their professional lives.
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