STAFF REPORT ISB: Pakistan is severely facing the shortage of skilled manpower which is required to accelerate as well as tap the potential of the countrys industrial sector and to keep the wheel of industrial activities rolling there is a yawning need to develop the concept of professional training of fresh graduates through active involvement of both public and private sectors.
Participants of a National Workshop recently held in Islamabad emphasized the scope of the apprenticeship training in line with the new market trends and the changing demand of the countrys industry.
They proposed reforms in the existing law, which will empower the economy of the country and enhance the employability of youth and this is only possible through imparting the concept of training as investment instead of burden.
The workshop was organized by the National Vocational and Technical Training Commission (NAVTTC) under the TVET Reform Support Programme which was attended by over 90 representatives from the business community, FPCCI, Workers Employers Bilateral Council of Pakistan (WEBCOP), Employers Federation of Pakistan (EFP), and renowned industries throughout the country.
Speaking on the occasion, NAVTTC Executive Director Capt (r) Tariq Masud, enlightened the role of NAVTTC as an apex body in policy guidelines, regulation and coordination for TVET sector in Pakistan.
He highlighted the need for reforms to enhance the scope of the Apprenticeship Training in line with the new market trends and the changing demand of industry.
“Apprenticeship is one of the foremost priority areas of NAVTTCs national skill strategy,” said the Executive Director.
He accentuated the significance of private sector, industry, employers and workers towards the reformation of existing apprenticeship system.
He elaborated that in the existing apprenticeship system the training cost is completely borne by the employers, while on the other hand the emerging sectors like service and agriculture do not come into the ambit of existing law which encompasses the huge employment share in the total workforce.
Per Borjegren, Leader Component-01 of TVET Reform Support Programme, elucidated the objectives of TVET Reform Support Programme and provided the participant awareness regarding the main activities and objectives of this programme.
He further appreciated the efforts of private sector for their initiative towards the support of this thought-provoking dialogue which will lead the Pakistani nation towards industrial and economic revolution.
Syed Nazar Ali from Sindh TEVTA and Waheed Asghar from Punjab TEVTA emphasised that the reform are same for which all the private and public sectors have been taken on board in the past in various activities conducted by ILO, TUSDEC, Labour Division, NAVTTC and Sindh TEVTA.
On the occasion, Muhammad Ali from GIZ presented the German-Pakistan Cooperative Model as a revolutionary step towards TVET reformation in country under TVET Reform Support Programme.
Spokesman Fasih K Siddiqi stated and shared good examples of apprenticeship models in various developed countries like United Kingdom and Germany.
His point of view was to include trade apprenticeship, graduate apprenticeship, diploma apprenticeship and management apprenticeship in the reforms.
Sher Akbar covered the legislative aspects of ordinance and guided the participants the way forwards towards the reformations.
Before concluding session, the FPCCI representative on behalf of employers, industry, workers and other participants, appreciated the efforts of NAVTTC and the organisers.