‘Industry linkage is a must for better job prospects’

karachi: Policymakers, experts and representatives of various industry associations have emphasised the need for providing youths with market-led technical education and vocational training (TVET), saying a strong industry linkage guarantees better employment prospects for the learners.

They shared their thoughts at the annual meeting of the Sindh TVET Advisory Forum, which is established by the Sindh Technical Education and Vocational Training Authority (STEVTA) in collaboration with TVET Sector Support Programme.

The meeting was attended by senior government officials, industrialists and TVET practitioners.

Speaking on the occasion, Chairman Sindh TEVTA Shahid Salaam Thaheem said, “Improved partnership with the private sector is the key to bringing TVET reforms and increasing employment opportunities for the youth in Sindh.” Managing Director Sindh TEVTA Shafique Ahmed Mahesar expressed his gratitude to the development partners and various stakeholders for their support.

Speaking at the ceremony, the head of cooperation, EU delegation in Pakistan, Milko van Gool, appreciated the idea of the establishment of a TVET advisory forum. He said such forums offered a platform to the representatives of public and private sector to work together for the promotion and development of the TVET sector.

The Sindh TVET Advisory Forum was established in 2017 in collaboration with the TVET Sector Support Programme, which is funded by the European Union and the governments of Germany and Norway.

The forum serves as a platform for stakeholders to discuss progresses, challenges and opportunities pertaining to TVET programmes and labour market and provide solutions. The forum also advocates partnership among public and private institutions and the paradigm shift from the traditional methods of training and vocational education to Competency Based Training & Assessment (CBT&A).