Pakistan TVET REFORM Support Programme Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Reform support Programme
KARACHI, May 22, 2013: Speakers at a seminar have stressed the government to offer the private sector an institutional role for development of a demand-driven technical and vocational education and training (TVET) system in Pakistan.
Speakers gave this call at a seminar entitled “Role of Private Sector in Development of TVET Sector of Pakistan”, jointly organized by the Employers’ Federation of Pakistan (EFP) and Korangi Association for Trade and Industry (KATI). TVET Reform Support Programme, co-funded by the European Union, the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands and Federal Republic of Germany, supported the event.
Speaking on the occasion, Chairman KATI Zubair Chaya lamented that the current TVET system, which is heavily dominated by the public sector, is not capable to produce workforce for the market. Outdated curricula and equipment at the public sector institutes contribute to the training outcomes, which is of no use, thus forcing industry to run its own training systems, he said.
He suggested that industry should be given the lead role in revamping the existing TVET system because it is the only way to offer employable skills to millions of Pakistani youth. The private sector is willing to cooperate and contribute to the development of TVET sector of Pakistan, but for this its role has to be recognized and given legal cover, he opined.
President EFP Khawaja Muhammad Nauman said different experiments have been tried in the past as far as the involvement of private sector in TVET sector governance is concerned, however, he said half-hearted attempts have badly failed to yield the desired results.
Despite poor economic situation, he said the private sector is still contributing to the national economy. He said creation of demand-driven workforce is not possible without the involvement of the private sector. He demanded that the government through legislations recognize the role of the private sector by including it at TVET policy formulation and delivery.
Director Operations Sindh Technical Education and Vocational Training Authority (STEVTA), Syed Nazar Ali, Communication Manager TVET Reform Support Programme, which is implemented by GIZ, Muhammad Ali Khan and Vice Chairman KATI, Najamul Arifeen also spoke on the occasion.
