ISLAMABAD: The European Union (EU) remains the biggest donor in Pakistan by providing 45 million Euro to support national level projects in the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) sector.
The EU will provide this support to the ongoing reforms in Pakistan TVET sector focusing on equipping the youth with employable skills, it was announced at the signing ceremony for the implementation agreement between the European Union and GIZ organized by the EU delegation office here on Friday.
After successful implementation of two projects (TVET I and II) in the TVET sector during the past five years, the support from the European Union will be extended for the implementation of a third programme (TVET III) which is expected to begin in January 2017 for a period of five years.
TVET III is aimed at scaling up the reform process based on the national TVET policy and the National Vocational Qualifications Framework (NVQF), launched in March 2015.
Apart from laying a strong foundation for a modernized TVET system, the programme will also support provision of demand driven TVET training to 48,500 people of which 30% will be women.
It will also support the upgradation of four centers of competence for the teacher training across Pakistan, to improve the quality of teaching method in the TVET sector.
The Deutsche Gesellschaft fur Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH will continue to implement the reform programme as lead technical agency in close collaboration with the National Vocational and Technical Training Commission (NAVTTC) and other public and private sector organizations across the country.
The European Union Ambassador Mr. Jean-Francois Cautain, the German Ambassador Ina Lepel, Executive Director NAVTTC Zulifqar Ahmad Cheema and a number of senior government officials, leading employers and representatives of various donors and international technical agencies attended the ceremony.
The European Union Ambassador Mr. Jean-Francois Cautain and Country Director GIZ Pakistan Dr. Julie Reviere signed the implementation agreement on behalf of their respective organizations.
In his remarks Ambassador Jean-Francois Cautain termed TVET as a 'flagship sector' for EU's support to Pakistan. Highlighting the importance of the sector for Pakistan, Ambassador Cautain said: "Our support to the TVET sector goes in hand with the advancement in China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).
Pakistan would need skilled labour in various sectors in upcoming years to meet the demand with the expected economic progression".
The two ongoing EU funded TVET projects will end in December 2016. Support to TVET sector in Pakistan (TVET I) had EU funding of 20 million Euro with an objective to provide TVET services to the marginalised communities predominantly in rural areas.
Supporting TVET Reform in Pakistan (TVET II) was launched in April 2011 to support the Government of Pakistan in improving access, equity, quality and relevance of the TVET sector. The total cost of the programme was 50.3 million.
In addition to the contribution of 26 million from the European Union, the governments of the Netherlands, Germany and Norway also extended their financial contribution.
While appreciating the achievements of TVET I and TVET II, Ambassador Jean-Francois Cautain encouraged the Government on timely endorsement of the National TVET Policy "as it forms the basis for the continuation of our support in this sector", he said.
The Programme will specifically focus on enhancing the engagement of the private sector in TVET planning and delivery.
Earlier in his address ED NAVTTC Zulifqar Ahmad Cheema highlighted the ongoing technical education projects in the country.
He said that government was focusing on the technical training of the youth for the socio-economic development of the country.
Copyright APP (Associated Press of Pakistan), 2016
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