Islamabad: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has announced the launch of a comprehensive programme aimed at harnessing the potential of Pakistani youth by focusing on high-demand skills training. Chairing a review meeting on the new vocational training ecosystem, the Prime Minister expressed satisfaction with the National Vocational and Technical Training Commission's recent performance and set new targets for technical and vocational training initiatives.

According to Radio Pakistan, the Prime Minister instructed authorities to ensure the effective implementation of the Apprenticeship Act and welcomed the provision of international certifications to enhance the global competitiveness of Pakistani manpower. He directed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis to expedite measures to secure more employment opportunities for skilled workers in Gulf countries.

Furthermore, Shehbaz Sharif emphasized the importance of implementing a biometric attendance system for trainees and instructors at all NAVTTC partner institutions. He urged the expansion of NAVTTC programmes in collaboration with provincial bodies to increase training opportunities for the workforce. The Prime Minister reiterated that training youth in globally demanded skills is a top government priority.

He also called for action against NAVTTC-affiliated institutions with unsatisfactory performance, including suspending their membership. Additionally, he directed the complete digitalization of the NAVTTC system and enhancement of online monitoring mechanisms.

The meeting was informed that NAVTTC has met all training targets set by the Prime Minister, with third-party validation of programmes ensuring high standards. It was also revealed that Pakistan's first skill-based bond has been launched, facilitating results-based funding for vocational training from the private sector.

The meeting highlighted that over ten thousand individuals benefited from industry-specific vocational training pilot projects, and two thousand six hundred new institutions were registered.