A Matric-Tech pilot project has reportedly been introduced in Islamabad by the federal government. This is a long-awaited initiative to empower young people by giving them hands-on experience in particular technical fields. There are many households in Pakistan who require additional bread earners early. This initiative is certainly an opportunity for such young people facing such pressures to not only make their career decisions but to opt for particular technical skills and obtain certifications. In Pakistan, we have skilled labour in many fields without any certification, making it hard for workers to acquire international requirements and proceed abroad.
Filipinos are highly represented in the global food service and hospitality industry due to their education training programmes and a national policy of working abroad. Other developing countries also have similar policies to produce young, skilled manpower in different technical and nontechnical fields along with spoken languages programmes. Lack of spoken English proficiency among many Pakistanis is a bottleneck when it comes to competing in the global market. Federal and provincial education ministries should address this gap at the secondary school level.
Aamir Hakeem
Islamabad
