Expanding access for returnees and prospective migrants: Opening doors for inclusive growth

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.

Intervention in numbers:

15,200 returnees, prospective migrants and disadvantaged groups benefited

4 strategic plans developed

100 participants from MOPHRD and NAVTTC received training on skill-based migration management

20 of them benefited from a study tour

These are the main activities at the heart of this intervention

Employment and Entrepreneurship Support for Disadvantaged Groups

The programme provides career counselling, access to employment opportunities through job fairs, entrepreneurship training and start-up support, customised skill trainings as well as guidance on accessing microfinance to jobseekers and disadvantaged groups. These services help individuals become more competitive in the labour market, explore new career paths, start small businesses, and develop sustainable sources of income. To extend their reach, partner organisations are provided with training materials, digital lessons, and a cascading trainer model, ensuring more people benefit from access to high-quality guidance and advice.

Recognition of Existing Skills

Many people already possess valuable skills but lack formal recognition of them. The Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) approach certifies these skills in key sectors such as textiles, IT, hospitality, and construction. Accredited assessment centres carry out industry-standard assessments, helping participants gain certifications that improve their employability and access to better jobs, both locally and abroad.

Community Outreach and Inclusion of People with Disabilities

The programme also strengthens the capacities of TVET institutes to reach disadvantaged groups. Staff are trained using a dedicated outreach manuals and digital lessons. Special measures focus on improving accessibility and inclusion of people with disabilities, ensuring that training spaces are open and welcoming to all.

Improving Access to Skills and Employment for Migrants

The programme works with NAVTTC and the Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development (MOPHRD) to improve migration management, making labour migration safer and improving access to skills and employment for prospective migrants and returnees. Activities include migration trend studies, study visits, enhanced counselling services for migrants, and regional cooperation to align training with international labour market needs. These efforts aim to ensure that prospective and returning migrants have access to the right skills, better protection, and improved chances of finding employment abroad and upon returning to Pakistan.