Prime Minister Expresses Satisfaction over NAVTTC Performance, Sets New Targets for Technical and Vocational Training

Islamabad: Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif has expressed satisfaction over the recent performance of the National Vocational and Technical Training Commission (NAVTTC) and directed authorities to set new targets for technical and vocational training programmes, while ensuring effective implementation of the apprenticeship law.
The directions were issued during a review meeting chaired by the Prime Minister in Islamabad on the newly introduced vocational training ecosystem in the country. The meeting included a detailed review of training programmes being implemented under NAVTTC.
The Prime Minister welcomed the provision of international certifications to Pakistani manpower to enhance global competitiveness. He also instructed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis to accelerate efforts to increase the placement of skilled Pakistani workers in Gulf countries.
Highlighting the potential of Pakistani youth, the Prime Minister said that a comprehensive programme had been launched through NAVTTC to effectively utilize their skills. He noted that, by the grace of Allah, positive results were emerging from NAVTTC’s technical and vocational training initiatives.
The Prime Minister directed that biometric attendance systems be implemented for students and instructors across all NAVTTC partner training institutions. He also ordered strict action, including suspension of membership, against institutions whose performance was found to be unsatisfactory.
Emphasizing expansion, the Prime Minister instructed authorities to strengthen collaboration with provincial institutions to extend NAVTTC programmes and ensure training for a larger workforce. He stressed that providing training aligned with internationally in-demand skills, along with global certifications, remained a top priority.
During the briefing, the Prime Minister was informed that NAVTTC had ensured third-party validation of its training programmes, including biometric attendance of trainees and maintenance of high standards for trainers. He was also briefed that Pakistan’s first skill-based bond had been launched under NAVTTC, enabling results-based funding from the private sector.
The meeting was informed that training programmes in information technology, agriculture, fintech, mining, tourism, sports, hospitality, shipbuilding and other globally in-demand sectors are currently being implemented nationwide under NAVTTC. For the first time in Pakistan’s history, all NAVTTC technical and vocational training programmes have been aligned with industry needs, with 148 industries engaged in programme design and implementation. Training programmes have also been launched in madrasas across the country.
According to official figures shared during the meeting, 146,000 individuals received training through NAVTTC last year, while more than 15,000 were awarded international certifications. Under the Takammul programme, over 300,000 individuals received training, and more than 280,000 secured employment in Saudi Arabia through this system. Additionally, following the evaluation of more than 350 institutions, NAVTTC granted licenses to provide internationally standardized training.
The Prime Minister was further informed that over 10,000 individuals were trained under industry-specific pilot projects, while 2,600 new training institutions were registered. Payments to training providers are made on a results-based model. Briefings were also given on partnerships with Google, Microsoft and other international certification bodies.
Expressing satisfaction over NAVTTC’s overall performance, the Prime Minister directed relevant authorities to define new and improved targets to further strengthen the vocational and technical training ecosystem in the country.