Context
Pakistan’s rapid population growth and the corresponding expansion of the workforce are a burden on the national economy. Millions of young people enter the job market annually, but they are unable to find work and do not contribute to national growth since they lack relevant skills.

Objective
Access to technical vocational education and training (TVET) has improved, as has the equity, relevance and quality of courses offered.

Approach
This programme was launched in April 2011 to support the Government of Pakistan’s TVET sector reform. It was commissioned by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and is co-financed by the European Union, the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands and the Royal Norwegian Embassy. Its aim is to improve access to technical and vocational education and training, while enhancing the equity, relevance and quality of the TVET system. The programme works in five areas of activity across the country:
1. Governance of TVET and the relevant institutional structures. While working to improve governance, the programme is also developing coordination and quality assurance systems for TVET at federal and provincial levels.
2. Ensuring the relevance and quality of TVET. Important elements in this area include the National Vocational Qualifications Framework (NVQF) and the provision of in-service and pre-service teacher training, including fast-track pedagogical training for technical trainers and instructors. The relevance of TVET is also increased by promoting greater use of labour market data for decisions that affect TVET sector development.
3. Fund for Innovative Training (FiT). This supports innovative training delivery and new approaches to increase access to TVET for vulnerable groups.
4. Capacity building for the TVET authorities (TEVTAs) in the provinces and regions. The programme is assisting the authorities in developing their management capacities for the effective implementation of TVET sector reforms within their respective organisations.
5. Cooperative training and green skills in Pakistan. This area of activity involves the creation of a strong partnership between companies and the public sector, enabling them to develop a skilled workforce for the manufacturing and renewable energy sectors.


Results achieved so far

• GIZ’s partner institutions in Pakistan have introduced national and provincial skills development plans in all provinces of the country, as well as in Azad Jammu & Kashmir, Gilgit Baltistan and the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA). Four baseline studies have been completed.
• A new Apprenticeship Law has been drafted, which aims to encourage private sector participation in TVET delivery. The first ever comprehensive TVET Policy for the country has also been developed. Some 220 TVET institutes and programmes have been accredited.
• One hundred lead trainers have received training. They, in turn, are providing teacher training to an additional 10,000 TVET teachers, of which around 4,000 have already completed training courses.
• Pakistan’s first ever National Vocational Qualification Framework has been finalised, and more than 100 curricula developed in the areas of agriculture, energy and services. A National Skills Information System has also been set up at the National Vocational and Technical Training Commission.
• Following the launch of the Fund for Innovative Training, as many as 62,000 people have benefited so far through support to 35 projects.
• A Learning Region has been established in FATA, with 1,500 beneficiaries having been trained in small-scale farming techniques.
• 100 job placement and vocational counselling centres have been set up around the country; in addition, the "Employers of the Year Awards" has been introduced to ensure that enterprises which deliver vocational training receive greater recognition. At the same time, the programme has strengthened the dialogue between the public and private sectors. Today the private sector is on board in terms of TVET policy, planning and delivery.
• Major events have been held to heighten the visibility of the programme and of the TVET sector as a whole. These have targeted key players, including politicians, opinion-leaders (the media) and bureaucrats.
• A new cooperative vocational training scheme was launched in Karachi, offering courses in 14 technical and commercial trades. The initiative has already been replicated in Lahore and benefits from the active involvement of over 70 multinational and national companies.
• Finally, the programme has also contributed to the development of a donor coordination mechanism for the TVET sector.