EU, BC launch analysis to power Pakistani women’s digital skills revolution

Islamabad : The European Union Delegation to Pakistan and the British Council have jointly launched a pivotal report titled “Skill Gap & Market Need Analysis” under Component 4 of the EU-funded Technical and Vocational Education and Training Sector Support Programme (Phase IV).

Conducted by Ipsos Pakistan, the study identifies critical digital and high-tech skill gaps across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan, and Balochistan, and provides the foundation for two internationally accredited Centres of Excellence focused on equipping women with future-ready skills.

Launched under the patronage of Ms Wajiha Qamar, Minister of State for Federal Education & Professional Training, the report offers a comprehensive overview of labour market demands and outlines a strategic roadmap for developing inclusive, industry-aligned technical training in emerging technologies.

The findings show that Pakistan’s rapidly growing Information and Communications Technology sector exports reached US $3.2 billion in 2024, with expected revenue growth of 7.3 per cent by 2029, but only 16 per cent of ICT jobs are held by women.

A comprehensive list of 42 courses in 20 high-tech domains, such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, data analytics, and cloud security identified where demand is high in the industry but skills in short supply.

Fewer than 10 per cent of TVET institutes currently offer high-level, competency-based training in emerging technologies.

Minister of State for Federal Education and Professional Training Wajiha Qamar said, "The report provided the evidence we need to close the gender gap in technology and create opportunities for the women and girls of Pakistan to lead in the digital economy.”

Jeroen Willems, Head of Cooperation, EU Delegation to Pakistan said the EU was proud to support Pakistan’s journey towards a green and digital future. "By investing in women’s skills, we invest in the nation’s prosperity."