The European Union (EU), Germany, and the British Council have joined forces to transform select Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutes into four Centres of Excellence (CoEs) across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan, and Gilgit-Baltistan.
This initiative, supported under the EU’s Global Gateway program, aims to modernize skills training in these regions by equipping the centers with state-of-the-art facilities, updated curricula, and highly trained instructors to meet the demands of the labor market.
The project, co-funded by the EU and the German government, is being implemented by the German development agency GIZ and the British Council in close collaboration with the National Vocational and Technical Training Commission (NAVTTC). This effort is part of a broader strategy to improve the TVET sector in Pakistan, enhancing opportunities for youth employment across the country.
A signing ceremony was held to formalize the agreements for these transformations, attended by senior officials including the Secretary of Education for the Ministry of Federal Education and Professional Training, Mohyuddin Ahmad Wani, and the European Union’s Deputy Ambassador, Philipp Oliver Gross. Other notable participants included provincial government representatives from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan, and Gilgit-Baltistan, as well as high-level officials from NAVTTC and the TVET Sector Support Programme.
In his address, Abdul Karim Tordher, Special Assistant to the Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa for Industries, Commerce, and Technical Education, expressed his gratitude for the European and German efforts to enhance the TVET sector in the province. He emphasized the potential for these CoEs to become key hubs for research, development, and employment opportunities for local youth.
Secretary of Education, Mohyuddin Ahmad Wani, also praised the EU and Germany for their continued support, stating that these initiatives would provide youth with valuable skills for improved employment prospects, contributing to the nation’s progress. He underscored the role of these Centres of Excellence in linking training with industry needs and fostering innovation in key economic sectors.
Philipp Oliver Gross, Deputy Head of the EU Delegation to Pakistan, highlighted the importance of empowering youth, particularly women, through these upgraded TVET institutes. “Pakistan’s youth are its greatest asset, and to unlock their full potential, especially for young women, we need to create an environment where they can thrive. The EU is committed to supporting inclusive and sustainable growth through TVET,” he stated.
The Centres of Excellence in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan, and Gilgit-Baltistan are set to become benchmarks for modern technical education in Pakistan, serving as hubs for teacher training, research, and business incubation. The project is expected to elevate the overall TVET sector, creating significant opportunities for youth across these provinces.
Prominent officials from Balochistan, including Minister for Education Raheela Durrani, and Gilgit Baltistan’s Chief Secretary, Abrar Ahmad Mirza, also expressed their appreciation for the EU’s support, acknowledging the potential for these centers to transform technical education and drive youth employment in their respective regions.
