‘Reform programme to strengthen TVET sector’

Islamabad

The second phase of Technical and Vocational Education and Training Reform Support Programme will bring meaningful involvement of industry, renew dialogues between the key stakeholders and strengthen the entire TVET sector of the country.

This was said by executive director of the National Vocational and Technical Training Commission Zulfiqar Ahmad Cheema while addressing the first steering committee of second phase of TVET Reform Support Programme here on Thursday.

Zulfiqar Cheema said the key intervention areas of the new programme included support to implement TVET policy, cooperation training, green skills, establishing knowledge management system for strategic decision making, establishing four centres of competence for teachers training, assistance in making 500 institute management committees effective with substantial participation of employees and Business Industry Association (BIA), implementation of 60 Competency Based Training programs and training 50,000 young boys and girls in the most demanded trades.

He said the five-year plan (2017-2021) would be jointly funded by European Union (45 million Euros) and Germany (8.0 million Euros).

The meeting was attended by representatives of European Union, Germany, Netherlands, Norway, British Council, all provincial TEVTAs including Gilgit Baltistan, FATA and AJK, and renowned industrialists.

"It goes without saying that curriculum development and National Vocational Qualification Framework are the basis on which the whole edifice of TVET is erected and we are committed to bring the system to a whole new level following systematic approach," said the NAVTTC executive director.

Zulfiqar Cheema said the commission was creating a new generation of assessors and trainers through extensive quality training programmes.

He urged the industry to play a proactive role in formalizing Sector Skills Councils to remove mistrust between public and private sector.

"Our future lies in technical and vocational education; making the huge youth bulge a dividend is only the way forward," he added.

Mr. Bernard Francis, head of Development European Union, complimented the active role of the executive director in highlighting the importance of blue-collared jobs and said the present government has extended full support to uplift TVET sector. Successful TVET means stability, richness, growth, and alleviation of poverty for the people of Pakistan, he added.

Mohammad Ibrahim Qureshi, president All Pakistan Business Forum, while appreciating the efforts of NAVTTC said it is moving in the right direction for forming policies and devising strategies to actively involve industry and promoting public private partnership.

Pervez Ghiyas, CEO Habib Group, considered formation of Sector Skill Councils as a crucial step to determine skill sets as per need of the industry as a tool of quality change. He said that NAVTTC’s initiatives will bear tremendous results and bring Pakistan amongst the top countries on Human Development Index.

Saima Javed, chairperson Punjab Technical Board, lauded the steps of NAVTTC in bringing a paradigm shift from time bound to CBT programs.

Mohammad Akhtar Bawani, Vice Chairman Hashoo Group, applauded the steps taken by NAVTTC in tailoring curriculum development and training delivery in accordance with the needs of the industry and other end users.

Chairman of AJK TEVTA Zafar Nabi, said that with the help and support of NAVTTC they have covered a long distance on the TVET journey and have identified gaps, problems and missing linkages.

NAVTTC executive director Zulfiqar Cheema said in the next phase, quota of all the provinces will be doubled. In addition to quota, 1,000 trainees from FATA will be trained in collaboration with Italian government.

The participants gave valuable suggestions and recommendations to make the second phase a success and resolved to make positive contribution in skill development of youth.

The executive director thanked the development partners and international friends for their support and proper direction in evolving TVET strategy and reforming skill sector of Pakistan.

Raja Saad, a representative of GIZ, gave a presentation on the five year plan under TVET Reform Support Programme.