Islamabad: The National Vocational and Technical Training Commission (NAVTCC) and the Industrial Association of Peshawar (IAP) joined forces on 12 March 2024 by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) at a ceremony in Peshawar. This strategic partnership underscores the collective commitment to strengthen demand-driven skills training in Pakistan with a special focus on addressing the pressing need for youth employment in the domestic market.
Ms. Gulmina Bilal Ahmad, Chairperson, NAVTCC, expressed the key role of this alliance in nurturing a demand-driven skilled workforce. “This collaboration exemplifies our commitment to equip the youth with industry-relevant skills that are aligned with the employment needs of Pakistan,” she emphasized.
The MoU outlines a pathway to align training and qualifications with industry demand. This joint effort aims to bridge the gap between skills and industry needs and contribute to economic growth and prosperity in KPK and beyond.
Gulmina Bilal Ahmad emphasized the continued commitment to the shared vision, saying, “Using NAVTCC’s collective expertise and IAP’s extensive industry network, we aim to equip young people with skills relevant to the demands of the local labor market.”
In line with this commitment, the Chairman of NAVTTC introduced the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) initiative during the ceremony. Industry members not only appreciated the program but also committed to conducting RPL assessments for their workers during Ramadan. This proactive move towards certification of existing skills underlines a shared commitment to formalize the capabilities of the industry workforce and demonstrates a progressive approach to professional development.
In addition, industry members informed the NAVTTC Chairman that they are actively conducting skill courses in their industrial premises. This disclosure serves as a valuable opportunity for NAVTCC and IAP to seamlessly align and integrate their training efforts. Recognition of existing skills courses provided by industry members enables NAVTCC to tailor initiatives that complement and enhance specific skills taught in the industry sector. This cooperative synergy strengthens the overall strategy and contributes significantly to the overarching goal of creating jobs and promoting economic growth in the region.
In essence, this multifaceted collaboration between NAVTCC and IAP, including skills training, RPL certification and industry-oriented courses, means a comprehensive approach to building a skilled workforce that meets the demands of the local labor market. The alliance reflects a commitment to optimize training resources, promote a cohesive approach to skill development and ultimately contribute to the socio-economic upliftment of KPK and Pakistan.
About NAVTTC:
The National Vocational and Technical Training Commission (NAVTTC) was established in 2005 to regulate and manage the TVET sector in Pakistan. NAVTTC, under the Federal Ministry of Education and Training, is the apex body mandated to promote, facilitate, regulate, strategize, redesign, approve curricula, train and provide policy direction for the entire technical and vocational education and training and development system in the country.
