Islamabad: Diplomats from 16 countries and senior representatives of United Nations agencies on Tuesday reaffirmed their commitment to deepening cooperation with Pakistan to build 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).
Convened by NAVTTC Chairperson Gulmina Bilal Ahmad, the event brought together ambassadors and envoys from countries including the United States, United Kingdom, Germany, China and France, alongside representatives of key UN agencies such as the International Labour Organisation, Unicef and the International Organisation for Migration.
Gulmina said the gathering underscored a shared resolve to equip Pakistan’s youth with competitive, future-ready skills. She emphasised that international partnerships were not only expanding employment avenues but also fostering innovation and supporting sustainable economic growth.
Highlighting recent progress, the NAVTCC chairperson 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 over the past two and a half years. Many, she added, had secured jobs in the Gulf, China and Europe through 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 boost employability and global competitiveness. NAVTTC Executive Director Muhammad Aamir Jan said the organisation was transitioning towards outcome-based training with a focus on developing an export-ready workforce.
