Improving the quality of Pakistan’s technical and vocational education and training sector

Project description

Title: Support to the Technical and Vocational Education and Training Sector in Pakistan
Commissioned by: German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ)
Cofinanced by: European Union, Royal Norwegian Embassy
Country: Pakistan
Lead executing agency: National Vocational & Technical Training Commission
Overall term:2017 to 2022

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Context

Energy, agriculture and human capital are areas with potential for Pakistan, but they have not yet been sufficiently utilised due to a lack of the required skilled workforce. Only 27 per cent of youth complete secondary education, and a very small percentage acquires employable skills. Every year, around 1.8 million young people enter the job market. The quality and relevance of the training they receive does not adequately meet the demands of the job market. The weak TVET sector makes it difficult for employers to find the skilled workforce they need. This restricts the Pakistani economy’s ability to exploit its potential for economic growth.

Objective

Governance and private sector participation are improving in Pakistan’s TVET sector thanks to an increase in the development of quality skills that better meet the demands of the labour market.

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Approach

To improve access, quality, equity and relevance in TVET, the Government of Pakistan embarked upon a comprehensive reform programme in 2011. Its efforts are supported by the EU, as well as the governments of Germany, the Netherlands and Norway. The first reform phase ended in December 2016, and during this period a number of milestones were achieved. These include the development of a national TVET Policy, the National Vocational Qualifications Framework and the introduction of competency-based training and assessment. The second phase of the TVET Sector Support Programme (TVET SSP) was launched in January 2017 with funding by the EU, the Federal Republic of Germany and the Royal Norwegian Embassy. TVET SSP is being implemented across Pakistan in the following five intervention areas:

  • private sector engagement
  • policy and governance
  • human resources development
  • implementation of reformed TVET and
  • reintegration of returnees.

Last update: July 2022

Additional information