Demand Driven TVET System is crucial for economic development: Hanif Lakhany
Our Correspondent
KARACHI
“Industry – Institutions linkages and effective engagement of employers in the design and delivery of TVET is important for developing a workforce with right skills”. This is said by Ismail Suttar, President, EFP while addressing a Stakeholders’ Consultation on Industry – Institution Linkages – Challenge and Opportunities organized by Skill Development Council Karachi jointly with Employers’ Federation of Pakistan (EFP) and Federation of Pakistan Chamber of Commerce & Industry (FPCCI) supported by GIZ-TVET Sector Support Programme on 7th April, 2021 at Federation House.
Emphasizing the importance of skilled people for industrial development and growth Mr. Suttar pointed out that the skill level of Pakistani workforce is low as compared to the other coun0tries of the region. The ongoing Technical Vocational Training programs are not aligned with the labour market and trainees graduating from the institutions do not possess the skills needed to the local industry which is mainly due to lack of linkages with industry. The low level of skilled people in the country is limiting the capacity of the local industry to innovate and produce good quality products essentially required to remain competitive in the global market besides, opportunities of export and investment.
Mr. Suttar said, the industry needs to be more actively engaged with the institutions and support skills development programs in order to produce workforce with requisite skills as it is in the interest of industry. The Government departments dealing with TVET should create supportive environment and institutional framework for industry to contribute in the development of TVET system geared to cater the current and foreseeable future skilled need of industry for making Pakistan industrialized and prosperous country.
He stressed upon the need to explore new sector and said the Mineral Sector in Pakistan has a huge potential of employment and growth. The sector with little attention and focus on processing and value addition of minerals can immensely contribute in creating employment and fetching millions of dollars to export. He particularly mentioned that the Mines & Minerals sector can immensely help in increasing the export provided focus is made on processing and value addition of minerals available in Pakistan.
Hanif Lakhany, Vice President, Federation of Pakistan Chamber of Commerce & Industry said stable and market based Technical Vocational Education and Training is crucial for sustainable economic development and employment generation. He added that the availability of skilled workforce lead to national self-reliance and enhances the industrialization process besides brining innovation and productivity enhancement.
He further said that FPCCI is fully committed to play its role in improving the quality of skills development programs by promoting Industry – Institution Linkages and establishing sustainable training partnerships. The Federation is also working with TVET Sector Support Programme and supporting Reform Process aimed at improving the quality and relevance of training programs.
