Skilling female workforce in digital and high-tech skills: Bringing equality to workplace
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.
Intervention in numbers:
- 20 Courses developed
- 2 Women Centres of Excellence (CoEs) established and accredited
- 2,000 women trained
- 105 Teachers trained
- 70% female in apprenticeships and 30% in incubation
These are the main activities at the heart of this intervention
Cutting-Edge Courses for Emerging Professions
The programme aims to develop new training programmes in Artificial Intelligence, Robotics, the Internet of Things (IoT), and Data Science etc. along with life skills and green skills. These courses are created in close partnership with TVET institutes, universities, the private sector, and national institution such as the Higher Education Commission. International accreditation ensures the training courses meet global standards, giving graduates qualifications that are recognised both at home and abroad. Apprenticeship schemes and Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) further strengthen women’s pathways into employment by combining classroom learning with workplace exposure.
Centres of Excellence for Women
The programme supports the establishment of dedicated Women’s Centres of Excellence (CoEs) in digital and high-tech skills. These hubs provide state-of-the-art training facilities in inclusive, supportive environments equipped with anti-harassment policies, childcare, and safe transport solutions.
Operating under a “Hub and Spoke” model, the CoEs connect with satellite centres, extending opportunities to women across multiple regions.
Building Advanced Capacities
Beyond entry-level training, the programme supports the creation of advanced training courses at levels 6 and 7 of the National Vocational Qualifications Framework (NVQF). These high-level courses prepare women for specialised roles in technology-driven sectors. Selected universities and training institutes are equipped with modern facilities and teaching resources to deliver effective learning. Addressing skills gaps through comprehensive market analysis, course development, and trainer trainings, the programme ensures that women are prepared for high-demand jobs in both the digital and green economies.
Watch the highlights from a milestone moment in Peshawar — where the British Council, under the EU-funded TVET Sector Support Programme, hosted the groundbreaking ceremony for Pakistan’s first Women’s Centre of Excellence for Digital and Hi-Tech Skills. Co-implemented by the British Council and GIZ, the programme aims to equip women with cutting-edge training in AI, robotics, IoT, and data science, driving economic inclusion and digital empowerment across KP, GB, and Balochistan.
Resources
Support programme
The TVET Sector Support Programme (EU TVET-IV), led by the British Council and co-funded by the EU and BMZ, aims to increase the availability of skilled female labour in digital and high-tech sectors in Pakistan. The initiative focuses on developing market-oriented qualifications, enhancing TVET governance, and improving employment opportunities for underrepresented groups, including women, refugees, and persons with disabilities. With a duration of 54 months and implementation in Balochistan, Gilgit Baltistan, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the programme also promotes better access for returning migrants and builds pathways to higher education and sustainable employment.
TVET 2024 year recap
Team Europe has launched a new skills development programme in Balochistan to empower youth with enhanced employment opportunities through advanced technical and vocational education and training (TVET). Partnering with the Government of Germany, the initiative aims to transform the region’s skills training landscape and aligns with the EU’s Global Gateway Initiative, which addresses global challenges like climate change and health system improvements. Building on the success of similar efforts in other regions of Pakistan, the programme marks a significant step toward strengthening educational institutions and supporting youth empowerment in Balochistan.
