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Karachi Vocational Training Center (Special School) –
The Need For KVTC:
Despite the establishment of institutions through Government ordinances, Pakistan still lacked organisations that provided people with learning disabilities with practical training that would enable them to make a living in a real world environment. Thus, there was a dire need for the foundation of an institute that provides more than simple rehabilitation. In 1991, Dr.Inam-ur-Rahman Khan, a consultant psychiatrist with over 14 years experience in UK, decided to establish a centre that caters to vocational training and comprehensive therapy of mentally challenged individuals and people with learning difficulties.
Mission Statement:
We believe that the mentally challenged can continually develop, learn new skills, and become useful contributing members of society.
1. Occupational Therapy: (OT)
Occupational therapists make use of the activities of daily living in preparation forof a program for the trainee. This program is individually designed for each trainee and is based on his/her adequate knowledge of personality, habits and ability. The OT department covers a wide range of activities. Here, simple manual or intellectual tasks on material with which the trainee is familiar, can be used for initial estimates of ability functioning. It also covers the area of improving work skills, to acquire new skills and to reduce social isolation. Activities of this department can be shared by regular people also to improve the process of learning.
2. Sheltered Workshop
For the first time in Pakistan, trainees are given simple jobs within the centre (hence the word “sheltered”). Those who have certain abilities and are yet not yet capable of proper communication or working independently are placed here. In sheltered workshops they can develop a basic concept of working with others, follow given instructions, become more social, increase eye- hand coordination, develop time concept and much more. These tasks include cleaning and packing (Pulses, sugar, pop corn etc.) making paper bags, envelopes, registers, copies, gifts boxes and writing pads, paper bags etc. The entire centre acts as a sheltered workshop as trainees are employed here as receptionists, office assistants, and salespersons at the KVTC Shop at Nisar Shaheed Park Gate 3.
3. Block printing section
The most active and popular department of the centre teaches trainees how to design and print Items such as Shalwar kameez suits, bed linen, bags, napkins, wrapping papers etc. It helps the trainees to develop different concepts like colour theory concept, mixing, matching, printing. It also enhances their fine motor and working hand- eye coordination. Those trainees who have completed their training are working independently in different printing workshops and boutiques
4. Candle Making Workshop
Another important skill taught at KVTC is, candle making. This plays is playing an important part towards teaching the trainees all the basics in this skill such as melting wax, moulding, shaping, pouring and settling the different types of candle wax into attractive and unique forms that can be used for both decoration and usefultilization purposes. The trainees are given monthly payments according to the quantity and quality of candles that they make. After rehabilitation, many trainees have successfully started their own candle making business and are now regular earning members of the society.
5. Carpentry Workshop
A multipurpose skill which includes training to strengthen the large and small muscle coordination, eye- hand coordination, attention and concentration span along with teaching the art of woodwork and craftsmanship. Beginning from the basic level of identifying the dimensions of the wood to cutting, polishing, levelling, nailing and building of complete wooden structures with proper finishing, the trainees are taught toto completely utilise this skill to the full.
6. Tie and Dye
A colourful and prominent skill to enhance the concept of matching, sequencing and mixing of colours in order to colour a wide range of clothes starting from dupatas and , shalwar kameez through to shirts, pants and bed sheets accordingly .
7. Tailoring Skill:
One of the most commonly available jobs for our trainees comes as a result of training in this department. The trainees are given knowledge and skillsow-how about stitching, sewing , cutting, and designing a wide range of clothes from shalwar kameez, pant, shirts , kurtis to cushion covers, bed sheets and seasonal dresses.
8. Machine embroidery
A unique skill that teaches the trainees towards handleing machinery for making designs, patterns, neck designs for stylish suits and also colourful and unique full dress embroidery work . A large number of trainees benefit from this skill every year and many have been employed within the centre as assistant trainers and workers.
9. Physical Exercise Room
This area deals with the development andof improving of the trainee’s physical fitness and enhancing their muscle coordination,. wWith the help of exercise machinery and following a dietary plan which is also part of their (IEP) Individualised Educational Program.
10. Speech Therapy
A very important area that is part of our training is to and help those trainees that have a speech impairment, KVTC also providesd speech therapy. ThisSpeech therapy is done through different meansways such as oral exercises, breathing exercises, and nose exercises as well as the proper pronunciation of words and sentences according to the individual’sir levels.
11. Grooming Room
This is wWhere the basic concept of personal hygiene is developed for both male and female trainees. Hhowever this is a female oriental skill room where ladies are taught, manicure, pedicure, facials etc; skills which will get them jobs. These skills have helped them find employment in various beauty parlours across the city.
12. Art
Art is the best form of self-expression. The basic development of colour concept, drawing, shaping, directions, pincher grip, fine motor skills are all part of the art class. This skill helps the trainees to bring out their innermost feelings, especially for those trainees who are unable to express themselves verbally.
13. KVTC ‘s Kitchen
A large group of trainees are involved in the KVTC kitchen in order to prepare food as well as serving, selling and maintaining a monthly budget which also helps in developing their confidence, responsibility and working proficiency. Staff lunches, teas, and refreshments for guests are prepared in our kitchen with trainees working as paid, full-time assistants.
14. Photo-Stating
A skill which focuses on teaching how to operate Photostat machines, including how to print copies and maintaining the machine. Those who have completed their training are working in various areas of the city as Photocopystat machine operators.
Since its inception, the Karachi Vocational Training centre has come a long way in providing support to the intellectually challenged. Some of the achievements since its inception are:
The centre has placed over 350 rehabilitated trainees who are working on real jobs in the city ranging from salespersons to office assistants to specialized craftsmen in carpentry, tie-dying, block printing, mirror painting etc.
Since its inception the KVTC has trained more then 4000 trainees. These trainees have taken their learning forward and are trying to help other special people as well.
Since 1998 over 2000 trainees have been trained at Mr. Burger, a well-known fast food chain.
KVTC collaborated with the British Council in a project titled, the “Global Pilot study of Job Attachments for People with Learning Difficulties” through which 16 trainees of the KVTC were chosen for 2 week internships. (Karachi Office)
After a successful program in Karachi, the British Council invited 2 faculty members and 4 students for internships in their London office.
In October 2006, another internship program was initiated at KVTC in collaboration with ICI Pakistan. KVTC trainees will now intern at ICI on a continuous basis.
KVTC also provides follow up services to the trainees placed on real jobs
KVTC has on-going internship programs for college trainees e.g. AMI, Le’cole, Govt. Women’s College, Home Economics College, and DHA’s O’ and A’ levels schools, LUMS, Indus Valley School of Art and Architecture.
In 1998 KVTC started free medical camps in Baltistan & Skardu, benefiting 290 people. Patients were provided counselling and medication, a number of relatives came to Karachi with the patients for subsequent follow up treatments. Such camps are regularly held all over Pakistan especially underprivileged areas.
KVTC not only supports special people but also provide remedial classes for children facing learning problems e.g. Concentration span, memory recall, amnesia as well as border line cases (those facing mental instability as a result of their socio-cultural environment, slow learning skills etc.
A shop outlet managed by KVTC trainees was established to sell items made at the Centre. (Location of outlet: Nisar Shaheed Park Gate 3) DHA
In 2000 KVTC conducted a workshop on mental retardation at the Shah Latif Govt. School for special people in Hyderabad. The workshop trained parents and teachers in assessment, diagnosis, teaching techniques, class room adjustment as well as real time activities. As a direct result, a number of trainees and their families shifted to Karachi from Hyderabad.
KVTC is the only centre that has established a Training Hostel. The hostel is specially designed with opportunities for socialization, personality building, constant supervision, and special arrangements for emergencies.
KVTC provided help during the earth quake relief programs by sending supplies such as medications and food supplies to the affected areas. Dr. Inam and a team of doctors went there to deal with traumatized patients suffering from psychological and psychiatric disorders.
1-The Karachi Vocational Training Centre (KVTC) has been rehabilitating mentally challenged people for over 15 years. Only KVTC has managed to rehabilitate mentally challenged persons & people with learning difficulties to such levels that companies all over Karachi are gainfully employing our trainees in real jobs, (shops, offices, restaurants, small businesses). Trainees are brought as close to ‘Normalization’ as possible as they are treated just like any other employee, with almost the same performance measures and remuneration.
2-Every year, 15-20 graduated KVTC trainees are employed by various businesses all over Karachi including the famous fast food restaurant, Mr.Burger® on a full-time basis, as a result of KVTC’s Job Placement Program. In the past, over 2000 trainees have trained and worked at Mr.Burger®.
3-There is no other institute in Pakistan that develops Individual Education Plans (IEPs) for the mentally challenged & people with learning difficulties. IEPs are customized training & development programs that we develop for each trainee separately, based on his/her IQ, thus ensuring the highest level of care & attention for the trainee’s rehabilitation.
4-After conducting a survey of the entire country, the British Council chose KVTC for their “Global Pilot of Job Attachments for People with Learning Difficulty in Pakistan” in 2005 since only KVTC is offering a complete rehabilitation program for the mentally challenged & people with learning difficulties thus producing the quality of trainees required for the exchange program.
5-KVTC has the only Training Hostel for the mentally challenged in Pakistan. This specially designed 36 bedded hostel provides much more than just comfortable lodgings for our trainees. An integral part of the rehabilitation for some trainees, they learn daily life skills like making their bed, ironing their own clothes & using the toilet that can make it easier for them to co-exist with their family members by not depending on them for such basic needs. They are given opportunities for socialization, personality building, and are supervised round the clock with special arrangements for emergencies. There are two separate blocks for girls and boys and a regular weekly check up is held for every student by a UK qualified Consultant Psychiatrist.
6-KVTC is the only rehabilitation centre in Pakistan that gives 24 hours emergency cover for its patients including psychiatric emergencies.
7-KVTC guarantees the success of its projects.
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Karachi Vocational Training Center (KVTC)
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