Latest news with #NAVTTC
Business Recorder
22-05-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
City & Guilds London: 50,000 students to receive certifications each year
ISLAMABAD: In a major development aimed at equipping Pakistani youth with globally recognised technical skills, under the agreement between GEMs UAE and City & Guilds, 50,000 students will receive internationally accredited certifications from City & Guilds London each year. The announcement was made during a media briefing held upon the return of a high-level Pakistani delegation from London, led by Minister of State for Education, Ms Wajiha Qamar. The delegation included Gulmina Bilal, Chairperson of the National Vocational and Technical Training Commission (NAVTTC), Ghulam Ali Mallah, Executive Director of IBCC, Amir Saadati, Executive Director of GEMS Middle East, and Hussain Shaikh, Global Head of Strategy GEMS Pakistan. Speaking at the briefing, Minister Wajiha Qamar and NAVTTC Chairperson Gulmina Bilal stated that a strategic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) had been signed to offer global-standard technical training to youth in Pakistan. This initiative is expected to create vast employment opportunities abroad and enhance the competitiveness of Pakistani professionals in the international labour market. 'Our goal is to empower Pakistani youth with skills that meet global standards,' said Gulmina Bilal. 'Through this agreement, 50,000 students will be trained annually with the collaboration of City & Guilds, enabling them to secure quality employment opportunities in Europe, the Middle East, and other regions.' The agreement was formalized at the headquarters of City & Guilds in London, where the Pakistani delegation signed the MoU with City & Guilds CEO Ms Kirstie Donnelly. Ms Bilal added that this partnership will revolutionise Pakistan's vocational education sector and align its skilled workforce with international benchmarks. 'We do not want our youth to be limited to the local job market. This collaboration is a game-changer, as it will grant global recognition to Pakistani certifications,' she said. During the visit, the delegation also met with Lord Boateng and discussed bilateral cooperation on workforce mobility and skills development. Lord Boateng appreciated Pakistan's initiative and assured full support for future collaboration. The foundation for this partnership was laid during the UK delegation's visit to NAVTTC in Islamabad in 2024, where Pakistan's vocational training potential was recognized. Subsequently, City & Guilds certification programs were launched in Pakistan through GEMS representation. This agreement marks a major milestone in opening global employment doors for Pakistan's youth and promises to contribute significantly to the country's economic growth. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Express Tribune
03-05-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
Digital skills gain momentum in South Punjab
The outcome of DEEP component-II will be the development of Pakistan Business Portal at a cost of $15 million for the first fiscal year of the project, ie, 2024-25. photo: file A quiet yet powerful digital transformation is sweeping across cities like Multan, Bahawalpur, Dera Ghazi Khan, and Rahim Yar Khan, where thousands of youth and women are embracing short online courses to gain skills for the global digital economy. From video editing and graphic design to freelancing and AI, low-cost courses — some offered for as little as Rs500 — are enabling people from all walks of life to build careers online. Conducted informally via WhatsApp groups or community setups, these courses have proven remarkably effective, opening new doors of income and opportunity for many with no formal technical background. One shining example is Tasneem Tariq, a housewife who now edits videos for social media influencers after completing a short editing course. "I used to feel left out when people talked about careers. Now, I feel empowered and soon I'll start contributing financially," she said. This grassroots movement is being driven by self-made trainers like Taimur and Adeel Chaudhry, who run regular online batches to guide students through practical learning. "This is not just a hobby anymore; it's a viable career path," says Taimur. Adeel adds, "Learners today ask smart questions — they want to monetize their skills, open YouTube channels, and sign up on freelancing platforms. It shows a positive societal shift." While the core momentum comes from citizens themselves, government initiatives have provided a crucial foundation. Platforms like e-Rozgar and NAVTTC have made certified training accessible, while Punjab Information Technology Board's e-Rozgar Centers in South Punjab offer structured learning and co-working support. These efforts are helping thousands transition into online careers and bring in valuable foreign income.
Express Tribune
17-03-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
NA extends two ordinances
PML-N-led coalition government in the Centre now has 229 members in the NA. PHOTO: APP The National Assembly on Monday passed two resolutions, extending the duration of two ordinances for an additional 120 days. The resolutions passed by the house included, "That the National Assembly resolves to extend the Federal Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education (Amendment) Ordinance, 2024 (IX of 2024) for a further period of one hundred and twenty days with effect from 2nd April, 2025, under proviso to sub-paragraph (ii) of paragraph (a) of clause (2) of Article 89 of the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan." Another resolution passed by the lower house read, "That the National Assembly resolves to extend the Income Tax (Amendment) Ordinance, 2024 (X of 2024) for a further period of one hundred and twenty days with effect from 27th April, 2025, under proviso to sub-paragraph (i) of paragraph (a) of clause (2) of Article 89 of the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan. The House referred two legislative bills to the relevant standing committees for further deliberation and consideration. The bills include the Anti-Dumping Duties (Amendment) Bill, 2025, aimed at amending the Anti-Dumping Duties Act, 2015, and the Extradition (Amendment) Bill, 2025, seeking to amend the Extradition Act, the Societies Registration (Amendment) Ordinance, 2024 (No. XI of 2024) was laid before the House, as required under clause (2) of Article 89 of the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan. Meanwhile, the lower house was informed that IT education has been introduced in 16 institutions across Pakistan, with five specialized courses, including Data Analysis, Blockchain, and Artificial Intelligence, being actively promoted. During the session, in response to a question by Aasia Naz Tanoli, Parliamentary Secretary Farah Naz Akbar stated that these initiatives are being implemented under the National Vocational and Technical Training Commission (NAVTTC), with a dedicated budget already allocated. She further revealed that each student enrolled in these courses receives a stipend of Rs105,000. The programme involves five universities: the National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST), the National University of Modern Languages (NUML), Ghulam Ishaq Khan Institute (GIKI), the National Skills University (NSU), and NUST's School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science. The courses are designed for students in their fifth semester, with evening classes to facilitate learning. NAVTTC closely monitors the program, which is currently in its pilot phase. If successful, it will be expanded to schools. Responding to a question from Syed Rafiullah, Akbar mentioned that discussions regarding launching the program in Malir had taken place with the minister, and updates would be provided to the Assembly. When questioned by Shehzada Gustasp Khan about higher education in Balochistan, she noted that the province currently lacks a public chartered federal university. However, campuses of two federally chartered universities have been established in the region. She also highlighted that in the first phase, 40 laptops were distributed in Balochistan, followed by 200 more in the second phase. In response to a question by Shahida Rehmani, Akbar mentioned that NAVTTC has established a clear procedure for laptop distribution, including a flowchart available on its website.
Express Tribune
09-02-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
Capital colleges offer 'high-impact' IT courses
ISLAMABAD: The federal government has transformed 16 degree colleges in Islamabad into high-impact IT training institutes. In collaboration with the National Vocational and Technical Training Commission (NAVTTC), registration has begun for three to six-month courses in Artificial Intelligence (AI), Data Science, and Blockchain. The Ministry of Federal Education and Professional Training (FEPT), NAVTTC, and Pakistan's top universities, including NUST, NUML, GIK, FAST, and COMSATS, have come together to launch IT training programmes. The courses in AI, Data Science, and Blockchain have now been officially launched. In a video statement, the Secretary of the Ministry of FEPT, Mohiuddin Ahmad Wani, stated that the world is moving towards AI. The best universities in the country will offer these modern courses at the colleges, and graduating students will also be enrolled in IT training programs. Wani emphasised that students who complete IT training courses will find it easier to secure jobs. Students who have completed a BS in Mathematics, Computer Science, or Statistics will be eligible for these courses, and students in the seventh semester of their BS programme at universities can also apply. The secretary further mentioned that courses have been launched at colleges across all sectors from G-6 to F-11, encouraging students to apply online soon.
