‘Govt strengthening TVET institutes along modern lines’

Islamabad: After putting in place the soft (policy) aspects of the technical and vocational education and training reforms programme, we are moving forward with the hard aspects, including strengthening of the existing TVET institutes with international standards, building of new training centres and development of modern curriculum for the TVET sector.

This was stated by Minister of State for Federal Education and Professional Training, Muhammad Balighur Rehman during a meeting with a delegation of European Union represented by EU ambassador Jean Francois Cautain and Federal Republic of Germany represented by acting German ambassador Tilo Klinner here on Wednesday.

The participants discussed cooperation in the 63 million Euros TVET Reform Support Project jointly funded by European Union, Germany and Norway. The minister welcomed the delegation and appreciated its interest and efforts for supporting the TVET sector.

EU ambassador Jean Francois Cautain discussed the details of the project and stressed the importance of coordination at national level for effective implementation of the programme. He also said the project would aim at increasing private sector participation in TVET sector, enhancing public-private cooperation and developing necessary linkages between TVET institutes and industry.

On the significance of TVET sector for CPEC, the minister said the project would also focus on identifying needs in terms of skills required for CPEC projects and tailoring training programmes to meet those requirements.

“The CPEC project is as important a project for Pakistan and the region as it is for Europe since it would also facilitate trade between Asia and Europe,” he said. The minister said the Inter-Provincial Education Ministers’ Conference provided an important platform for discussing issues and initiatives in the education sector and ensuring concerted efforts at the national level.

“The IPEMC has already endorsed the National TVET Policy and this forum will also help facilitate coordination in the TVET Sector reform programme,” he said. The minister said the capacity building of human resource through improvement in TVET sector was significant for the success and sustainability of CPEC projects.

“The government is committed to aligning technical skills training offered in the TVET sector with industrial demands, including emerging human capital needs of CPEC projects,” he added.

The ongoing project that entered its implementation stage in January 2017 is the third phase of assistance and is called, 'Support to the Technical and Vocational Education and Training sector in Pakistan (TVET III).'

The project envisions support for implementation of a national TVET policy and overall improvement in the TVET sector through provision of demand-oriented vocational training to youth; increased private sector engagement; improved linkages between technical training centres and industry, introduction of a quality assurance, and accreditation system and establishment of the centres of competence for teacher training.