Skilled workforce guarantees profitability

KARACHI, May 28, 2013: Better skilled workforce is the guarantee for increasing profitability and productivity of the enterprises, thus, it is a high time for the companies to invest in human resource development, said employers and experts at a session held here at S.I.T.E Association of Industry.

The session entitled “Involving Industry in Technical & Vocational Education & Training (TVET)” was organized by the Employers’ Federation of Pakistan (EFP) in collaboration with the TVET Reform Support Programme, which is co-funded by the European Union, the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands and Federal Republic of Germany.

Speaking on the occasion, Khawaja Muhammad Nauman, President EFP highlighted the importance of TVET and the role of employers in its delivery. He said that purpose of the awareness session is to facilitate the linkage between public and private sector in the area of TVET, which is currently going through a massive transformation as a result of TVET Reform Support Programme in Pakistan.

He stated that TVET system in Pakistan is not sufficiently adapted to labour market requirements, mainly because of disconnect between the demand and supply sides. He further said that keeping in view the importance of TVET; the EFP intends opening its own technical institutes, beginning with Karachi which should provide competency based skills and vocational training to cater the demand of business and industry. He also informed the audience about Employer of the Year Award – 2012 which will be held in September 2013 in collaboration with the TVET Reform Support Programme.

Mr. Mohammad Ali Khan, Communication Manager, TVET Reform Support Programme/GIZ informed the audience about the five-year TVET Reform Support Programme. He explained the key challenges in TVET sector and the role of the TVET Reform Support Programme in responding to these issues.

Mr. Abdul Hafeez Abbasi, Deputy Director, NAVTTC, Islamabad gave a brief introduction about NAVTTC and employers’ role in TVET. He informed the audience about the benefit of NVQF. He further explained about national vocational qualification framework and there levels. He also explained about recognition of prior learning and its principles.

Ms. Rehana Kausar, Deputy Director, NAVTTC, Islamabad also gave a presentation on initiatives of NAVTTC for involvement of the private sector/industry in form of Industry Advisory Groups (IAGs).

Mr. Nawaz Ali Zardari, Director from NAVTTC, Islamabad informed audience about the role of private sector in improving TVET on national and provisional level and the steps taken to improve the relationship between Private sector and NAVTTC.

Mr. Nazar Ali, Director, STEVTA explained that why technical education and vocational training is important for industrial growth and strengthen of labour work force. He further clarified about the initiatives that are taken to involve industries in TVET Reform Support Programme.

Dr. Kazi Ahmed Khan, Vice Chairman, S.I.T.E. Association, expressed that SITE association is the oldest industrial area setup in Pakistan for the promotion of business and its becoming competitive and to be competitive, they need to adopt strategies and policies which will help in more production and quality. He stressed on the employers to invest in skill development because this will pay them back in shape of productivity and efficiency.