UN agencies, diplomats back skills training for Pakistan’s workforce

ISLAMABAD: Diplomats and senior representatives of United Nations agencies on Tuesday reaffirmed their commitment to expanding cooperation with Pakistan to develop a skilled workforce aligned with modern global requirements.

The pledge was made at a high-level roundtable conference titled ‘TVET: Strengthening International Cooperation for Skills Development in Pakistan’, held at the National Vocational and Technical Training Commission (NAVTTC) headquarters.

The event brought together ambassadors and diplomatic representatives from 16 countries, along with senior officials and heads of international organisations, including the International Labour Organisation (ILO), Unicef, and the International Organisation for Migration (IOM).

Participants emphasised the need to strengthen technical and vocational education systems to meet evolving global labour market demands. Representatives of the German and United States embassies highlighted the importance of public-private partnerships, calling them key to sustainable economic growth and long-term development.

The European Union reiterated its continued support for Pakistan, stating that it remained committed to cooperation in skills development initiatives.

The ambassador of Mauritius presented a proposal focusing on mutual learning opportunities, suggesting that Pakistan could benefit from Mauritius’ expertise in tourism, while Mauritius could draw from Pakistan’s experience in the construction sector.

In her opening remarks, NAVTTC Chairperson Gulmina Bilal Ahmad said the conference reflected a shared commitment to equipping young people with competitive, modern skills. She added that international collaboration was helping generate employment opportunities, encourage innovation and support sustainable economic growth.