Labor Market Assessment in Gilgit Baltistan
The “Labour Market Assessment in Gilgit-Baltistan” was developed under the Team Europe-funded TVET Sector Support Programme (TVET SSP), implemented by GIZ in collaboration with NAVTTC. The report provides data-driven insights to inform reforms in Pakistan’s Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) sector by promoting demand-driven training, expanding vocational opportunities, and advancing gender equality. Based on extensive consultations with key public and private stakeholders, the study examines labour market trends, skills gaps, and emerging industry needs across Gilgit-Baltistan’s ten districts. It highlights key challenges such as limited institutional capacity, outdated curricula, and socio-cultural barriers that restrict participation—particularly among women and disadvantaged groups. The report calls for strengthened collaboration between government, industry, and training providers to align TVET programmes with market needs and to foster inclusive, sustainable economic growth in the region.
Key findings
Economic Activities and Major Sectors
As established earlier, the economy of GB is largely informal and diverse, with a tendency towards seasonal variations. The region mostly relies on its economic activities, such as tourism, agriculture, mining, renewable energy, construction and small-scale manufacturing, and is mostly backed by informal labour. The employment sectors created remain stunted by a lack of formal training, technological investment, and infrastructure, which, if duly addressed, could have caused economic diversification and industrial development. The economic sectors to which this applies are introduced in this section and discussed in detail with respect to their contributions, challenges and the potential for creating work/jobs.
Skilled workers demand by sectors and Gender
Skill gaps
The effectiveness of TVET programmes in GB is hindered by their poor alignment with local economic needs. Many graduates face low employability due to a mismatch between training and labour market demand. Key sectors such as tourism and hospitality, agriculture, mining, renewable energy, construction, and IT face significant skill gaps, with limited or no relevant courses available. This disconnect prevents graduates from securing employment despite growth opportunities in these industries.
Economic Dynamics and Workforce Composition of Districts
Labor Market Assessment in Gilgit Baltistan
