- Premier Shehbaz reviews NAVTTC performance, sets new targets for skill development
- Directs coordination with provinces and Gulf countries to expand training and employment
- Emphasizes strict implementation of Apprenticeship Law across the country
- Calls for international certifications to boost global competitiveness of Pakistani workforce
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Monday expressed satisfaction over the recent performance of the National Vocational and Technical Training Commission (NAVTTC) and directed the commission to set new targets to further enhance technical and vocational training programmes nationwide.
He also emphasized strict implementation of the Apprenticeship Law to ensure comprehensive skill development.
Chairing a review meeting on the newly introduced vocational training ecosystem, the prime minister evaluated ongoing NAVTTC programmes in detail and stressed the importance of providing international certifications to Pakistani manpower to boost global competitiveness.
وزیرِاعظم محمد شہباز شریف کی زیر صدارت ملک میں پیشہ ورانہ تربیت کے نئے متعارف کردہ ایکوسسٹم پر جائزہ اجلاس، نیوٹیک کے تحت جاری تربیتی پروگرامز کا تفصیلی جائزہ
اجلاس کو بتایا گیا کہ نیوٹیک اپنے پیشہ ورانہ تربیتی پروگرامز کی تھرڈ پارٹی ویلیڈیشن کو یقینی بنا رہی ہے جس میں تربیتی… pic.twitter.com/r4tpczxbTn
— Government of Pakistan (@GovtofPakistan) January 12, 2026
He directed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis to accelerate efforts to increase the absorption of Pakistani skilled labour in Gulf countries. Highlighting the potential of the country’s youth, the prime minister noted that the NAVTTC’s comprehensive programmes are already yielding positive results.
The prime minister instructed the implementation of a biometric attendance system for trainees and instructors across all NAVTTC partner institutions and emphasized coordination with provincial bodies to expand training opportunities for a larger workforce nationwide.
He underscored that providing youth with training along with international certifications in globally demanded skills should remain the top priority. Institutions performing unsatisfactorily under NAVTTC were to have their memberships suspended, and strict action was to be taken. Complete digitisation and online monitoring mechanisms for NAVTTC were to be further strengthened to ensure transparency and efficiency.
وزیرِ اعظم محمد شہباز شریف کی زیرِ صدارت ملک میں پیشہ ورانہ تربیت کے نئے متعارف کردہ ایکو سسٹم پر جائزہ اجلاس
وزیرِ اعظم نے نیوٹیک کی کارکردگی پر اطمینان کا اظہار کرتے ہوئے مستقبل کے لیے مزید بہتری کے حوالے سے نئے اہداف کے تعین کی ہدایت کی۔
اجلاس کو بتایا گیا کہ نیوٹیک کی جانب… pic.twitter.com/lENSvVKnFs
— Government of Pakistan (@GovtofPakistan) January 12, 2026
The meeting was attended by private-sector third-party validators, industrial partners, professional firms, representatives of chambers of commerce and business associations, and experts from artificial intelligence and information technology sectors.
Officials informed the prime minister that all previously assigned targets for NAVTTC training programmes had been successfully achieved. The commission ensures third-party validation, biometric attendance of trainees, and maintenance of high standards for trainers. Pakistan’s first skill-based bond had been launched under NAVTTC, enabling results-based funding from the private sector.
Ongoing training programmes cover high-demand international sectors, including information technology, agriculture, fintech, mining, tourism, sports, hospitality, and shipbuilding. For the first time, all NAVTTC programmes have been aligned with industry requirements, engaging 148 industries nationwide. Training has also been extended to madaris, and graduates of these programmes were briefed during the meeting.
Statistics presented showed that over the past year, 146,000 individuals received training through NAVTTC, while more than 15,000 obtained international certifications. Through the Takmeel initiative, over 300,000 individuals received training, with more than 280,000 securing employment in Saudi Arabia. Evaluations of over 350 institutions led to licencing for internationally recognised training.
Additionally, a pilot project for industry-specific vocational training targeting over 10,000 individuals was launched, and 2,600 new institutions were registered. Payments to training providers are results-based, and international certification bodies, including Google and Microsoft, are being integrated into NAVTTC programmes.
The meeting concluded with confirmation that all targets assigned by the prime minister to NAVTTC had been fully achieved, marking a significant milestone in Pakistan’s vocational and technical training ecosystem.
