Representatives from 16 countries and multiple United Nations agencies met at the National Vocational and Technical Training Commission (NAVTTC) headquarters on Tuesday to coordinate a shift in Pakistan’s labor training. 

The roundtable, titled ‘TVET: Strengthening International Cooperation for Skills Development in Pakistan,’ focused on aligning the local workforce with international market requirements.

Officials from the International Labour Organisation (ILO), Unicef, and the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) joined diplomats to confirm their intent to expand technical cooperation. 

The discussions centered on moving away from traditional training methods toward models that meet modern global standards.

During the session, the Ambassador of Mauritius proposed a specific exchange of expertise between the two nations. Mauritius offered to share its framework for the tourism industry in exchange for Pakistan’s experience in the construction sector.

Diplomatic staff from the United States (US) and German embassies highlighted the role of public-private partnerships. These representatives argued that involving the private sector is a requirement for maintaining economic growth and ensuring that development projects remain sustainable over time. 

The European Union delegation also confirmed that its current partnerships regarding skills development in Pakistan will continue.

NAVTTC Chairperson Gulmina Bilal Ahmad opened the conference by stating that the meeting “reflected a shared commitment to equipping young people with modern, globally competitive skills”. Ahmad noted that these international alliances are intended to generate employment and foster innovation within the national economy.