Diplomats, UN agencies pledge support for skills development in Pakistan
ISLAMABAD: Diplomats from 16 countries and senior representatives of United Nations agencies on Tuesday reaffirmed their commitment to expanding cooperation with Pakistan to develop a skilled workforce aligned with evolving global demands.
The pledge came at a high-level roundtable titled “TVET: Strengthening International Cooperation for Skills Development in Pakistan,” held at the headquarters of the National Vocational and Technical Training Commission (NAVTTC).
The event, convened by NAVTTC Chairperson Gulmina Bilal Ahmad, brought together ambassadors and representatives from countries including the United States, United Kingdom, Germany, China and France, along with officials from key UN bodies such as the International Labour Organization (ILO), UNICEF and the International Organization for Migration (IOM).
In her opening remarks, Gulmina said the gathering reflected a shared commitment to equipping Pakistan’s youth with competitive, future-ready skills.
She emphasised that international partnerships were helping generate employment opportunities, foster innovation and support sustainable economic growth.
She noted that, under the vision of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Federal Minister for Education Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui, NAVTTC had trained millions of young people in the past two and a half years.
Many, she added, had secured employment in Gulf countries, China and Europe, supported by international agreements recognising Pakistani skilled labour.
Chairman of the Prime Minister’s Youth Programme Rana Mashhood Ahmad Khan described the country’s youth as its most valuable asset, saying the government was leveraging strategic partnerships to enhance employability and global competitiveness.
NAVTTC Executive Director Muhammad Aamir Jan said the organisation was shifting towards outcome-based training and focusing on developing an exportable workforce.
He highlighted efforts to strengthen collaboration through joint certification programmes and institutional linkages.
During the session, the Ambassador of Mauritius proposed enhanced bilateral cooperation, noting that Pakistan could benefit from Mauritius’ expertise in tourism, while Mauritius could learn from Pakistan’s construction sector.
Representatives from Germany and the United States stressed the importance of public-private partnerships for sustainable development, while the European Union reiterated its continued support for skills development initiatives in Pakistan.
The Dean of the Diplomatic Corps and Ambassador of Turkmenistan praised NAVTTC’s efforts and acknowledged the international community’s commitment to supporting Pakistan’s development.
The roundtable concluded with a renewed resolve to deepen international collaboration in the technical and vocational education and training (TVET) sector, expand skill mobility pathways and create sustainable employment opportunities for Pakistani youth. APP
