ISLAMABAD:
Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday directed that all vocational and technical training offered across Pakistan must be aligned with international standards to enhance global employment opportunities for Pakistani youth and increase foreign remittances.
Chairing a high-level meeting on the performance of the National Vocational and Technical Training Commission (NAVTTC), the Prime Minister stressed the need for globally accredited training programs to strengthen the skilled workforce and boost its demand in international job markets.
“By ensuring international quality in our training institutions, we can create more overseas opportunities for our youth and significantly contribute to the national economy through increased remittances,” said the Prime Minister.
He instructed that all federal and provincial training institutions must pursue international certifications and accreditations.
The Prime Minister appreciated NAVTTC’s progress and reiterated the government’s commitment to empowering youth through skill development that meets global labor market demands.
NAVTTC officials briefed the Prime Minister on key initiatives, including nationwide mapping of vocational institutions and the activation of the National Technical and Vocational Training Data Management System.
The meeting was informed that all public sector training programs are being unified under a single regulatory framework led by NAVTTC, and curriculum standardization is already in progress.
According to shared data, 53% of the trainees from the 2023–24 cycle secured employment within six months of completing their programs.
Officials also reported that over 25,000 NAVTTC-trained individuals secured overseas jobs between 2020 and 2024. In the current year alone, 146,000 people have been trained across various sectors, including services, tourism, IT, banking, textiles, and construction, while the training target for 2025 is set at 350,000 individuals.
The meeting was attended by Federal Minister for Education Dr. Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui, Minister for Economic Affairs Ahad Khan Cheema, Minister for IT and Telecom Shaza Fatima, Chairman of the Prime Minister’s Youth Programme Rana Mashhood Ahmed Khan, and other senior government officials.
