About the Programme
The Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Sector Support Programme (SSP) is a nationwide initiative that aims to reform and improve vocational training in Pakistan. The programme supports institutes to equip individuals with certified skills that align with market demands, fostering employability, inclusivity, and economic resilience.
With the support of international donors, including the European Union and Germany, the programme focuses on creating a sustainable system that bridges the gap between education and employment. It prioritizes the integration of green (environmentally sustainable) and digital (technology-driven) skills into vocational training, addressing both immediate and future workforce needs.
Events & Updates
Intervention Areas
Strengthening TVET Governance
The TVET Sector Support Programme contributes to a TVET system that is more effective, transparent, and aligned with the needs of the job market. Through interventions at the governance level, the programme aims to ensure that trainings not only equip people with skills but also leads to real employment opportunities. It helps to build a TVET system that is digitised, data-driven, based on strong institutions and globally recognised standards, and aligned with Pakistan’s vision and strategies for sustainable economic growth.
Improving TVET Delivery
The TVET Sector Support Programme is committed to preparing youth for meaningful employment by ensuring that training directly connects to real job opportunities. With a strong focus on growth sectors such as agribusiness, energy, water, and green technologies, the programme aims to develop courses that are relevant, practical, and future-oriented. At the same time, it strengthens institutions, equips teachers and managers, and transforms selected TVET institutes into Centres of Excellence that represent modern, inclusive, and high-quality learning environments.
Supporting school to work transition
The TVET Sector Support Programme aims to support graduates in their move from classrooms to careers by improving the linkage between training and employment. This includes strengthening career guidance and counselling services at TVET institutes and creating stronger partnerships between the TVET system and industry – both at the level of TVET bodies and individual TVET institutes. Providing better information about job opportunities and equip students with the skills to successfully find and apply for jobs in the labour market helps them transition more easily into employment. Particular attention is given to strengthening guidance for female students.
Inclusive growth: returnees and migrants
The TVET Sector Support Programme is committed to ensuring that no one is left behind in Pakistan’s skills development journey. By focusing on disadvantaged groups – including women, returnees, prospective migrants, persons with disabilities– the programme aims to create inclusive pathways to decent work, business ownership, and safe migration. Through a wide range of support services, it helps break down barriers to information, training, and job opportunities, enabling individuals to build sustainable and dignified livelihoods.
Skilling Female Workforce
The TVET Sector Support Programme is expanding opportunities for women in Pakistan’s fast-growing digital economy with the introduction of training in advanced technologies. The programme puts special focus on digital and high-tech fields to ensure that women are equipped with the knowledge and skills needed to participate fully in the jobs of the future. Courses are designed to match labour market demand, while creating safe and inclusive spaces for equal opportunities.
Target groups
Returnees
and
Job Seekers
Barriers to opportunities for returnee migrants, women, and local populations are being reduced through supportive measures, such as recognition of prior learning, customised training, employment promotion, community outreach, and formalised labour migration.
Women and marginalised groups
The TVET Sector Support Programme (TVET SSP) emphasises in empowering women and marginalised groups through globally accredited, future-ready skills. Jointly implemented by GIZ and the British Council, the programme supports inclusive human capital development.
Policymakers and TVET Institutes
The programme supports policymakers by enhancing evidence-based TVET management, digitalizing key processes, and revising national strategies like the NVQF. Over 300 personnel from NAVTTC and provincial TVET bodies have been trained in data-driven planning and decision-making.
Private
Sector
Partners
The TVET program incentivise the private sector engagement and strengthened partnerships for apprenticeships. Long-term efforts include aligning training frameworks and curriculum updates with evolving industry needs to ensure a skilled workforce for private sector growth.
Resources
Labour market assessment
Labour Market Assessments conducted under the Team Europe-funded TVET Sector Support Programme with NAVTTC, aim to inform demand-driven reforms in vocational education. Based on extensive stakeholder consultations, the reports offer data-driven insights to improve access, inclusivity, and alignment of training with evolving labour market needs.
Entrepreneurship module
The entrepreneurship manuals are designed to equip learners with the essential skills to start and manage conventional, digital, and green businesses. They cover key areas such as business planning, marketing, costing, financial management, and accessing financial resources, enabling individuals to launch and sustain successful ventures aligned with their trades.
Media
report
The launch of the TVET Sector Support Programme – Phase IV marks a major step under Team Europe’s initiative to create green jobs in Pakistan. This programme aims to enhance youth employment through improved technical education, with a strong focus on inclusivity, high-tech skills, and reaching underserved areas.
TVET
Factsheet
Since 2011, the EU and Germany have supported Pakistan’s TVET sector, enhancing skills frameworks and training systems. The TVET IV program aims to align workforce skills with market needs for inclusive growth. It also advances green jobs, women’s empowerment, and the EU’s Global Gateway goals.
