We run local, regional and international seminars, workshops and forums, which tackle core issues in skill reforms in a global economy, with ministries, skills agencies, employers and educational institutions.

A UK study visit of Key T1s (senior policy-makers from NAVTEC and provincial TEVTAs of Punjab, Sindh and Azad Jammu and Kashmir) is planned in February 2011 to participate in an international conference on Apprenticeships being held in UK.

This study tour will coincide with “National Apprenticeships Week” which is a programme of events organised and managed by the National Apprenticeship Service (NAS) UK, designed to promote and raise the profile of apprenticeships to both businesses and potential apprentices.

As a part of National Skills Strategy 2009-2013, National Vocational and Technical Education and Commission (NAVTEC) has been given the mandate to amend the Apprenticeship Ordinance, 1962 of Pakistan to make it more flexible and incentivised for employers. Provincial Technical Education and Vocational Training Authorities (TEVTAs) will have the responsibility to implement the apprenticeship ordinance at provincial level in consultation with NAVTEC. In order to support government’s efforts to revive the apprenticeship system of Pakistan, the British Council has joined hands with NAVTEC and provincial TEVTAs and the upcoming study visit to the UK would provide the participating policy makers an opportunity to study English Apprenticeship System.

Skills for Employability helps to deliver skills standards in Pakistan

In an initiative that is the first of its kind in Pakistan, the British Council worked with the National Vocational and Technical Education Commission (NAVTEC) of Pakistan through the Skills for Employability programme to establish industry-driven minimum skill standards (also called competency standards) in technical and vocational education in 23 different trade sectors.

Starting in January 2009, NAVTEC, with the assistance of the British Council, formed Industry Advisory Groups in three priority sectors: construction, textiles, and hospitality & tourism. The IAGs had the aim of ensuring that technical and vocational education becomes more demand-driven, enhancing the employability opportunities for graduates.

Each IAG was made up of senior representatives from leading companies in these priority sectors and were trained in the UK by the relevant UK Sector Skills Councils. On their return to Pakistan, the IAGs consulted with wider industry and used the industry feedback to develop skills standards for 23 priority trades.

These standards were validated in Islamabad on 20 May 2010 and represent a major step forward for skills training in Pakistan. The fact that they have been established in close consultation with their relevant industries sets them apart from any other standards in Pakistan. The development of the skills standards will now serve as the basis of new curricula being developed by the proposed Centres of Vocational Excellence - another NAVTEC- Skills for Employability initiative.

Muhammad Sarwar Zahid, Director of Monitoring and Evaluation at NAVTEC praised the development of these skill standards, observing that the resulting improvement in education will contribute a great deal to the economic growth of Pakistan.