The National Vocational and Technical Education Commission (NAVTEC) has been established to oversee reform of the Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) sector in Pakistan, including improvement of institutions and infrastructure.

NAVTEC has developed a National Skills Strategy 2009-2013 to provide a framework for skills development which aims to:

			Change TVET education from time-bound, curriculum-based training to flexible, competency based training
			Bring about a shift from supply-led training to demand-driven skills development by promoting the role of industry in designing and delivering TVET.

The Need for Change

In a speech in May 2006, President Musharraf said: 'We must improve curricula at these institutes and ramp up the capacity to produce a skilled workforce of international quality as it will not only open opportunities for people at the grass roots level but also raise their profile and demand as workers in advanced and industrialised countries.'

Current problems in the TVET sector include:

			A gap between supply and demand of training courses
			No co-ordination or coherence between industrial and training institutions
			A lack of modern facilities
			Widespread illiteracy in the labour force.

TVET Reform

Reform is underway in Pakistani TVET, with support from the Asian Development Bank (ADB). According to the ADB, 'The TVET system in Pakistan has largely been offering traditional programmes over the last 40 years. The system needs to be made more effective in responding to the changing labour market demands in the country. Further, the demand for skilled workers and technicians has increased and TVET institutes need to be positioned to meet these demands, and their efficiency improved.'

ADB conducted a review of Pakistan TVET in 2003, which led to the formulation of a Skills Development Reform Programme targeting Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (Formerly NWFP).