Muhammad Saleem

Pakistan can achieve economic development by equipping its youth with quality vocational training; however, the youth's potential is being squandered on outdated skills, reports WealthPK. Amjad Ahmed, a teacher at a vocational training institute, told WealthPK that developed nations were facing a dire shortage of skilled manpower to do multiple tasks like plumbing, carpentry, repairs and others. He said such professions were looked down upon in Pakistan; however, the global situation was a whole new ballgame. “From top to bottom, everyone knows that Pakistan is blessed with a large youth population. But what we are doing to harness their potential is a big question. Although we encourage the youth to acquire knowledge, the kind of knowledge they should get is a point to ponder. The world needs skilled manpower but is still stuck in a rut with theoretical degrees,” he said. “Multiple courses like electrician, electronics application, machinist, welder and others can be concluded within a year; however, we are dragging them out to two years just to line our pockets.

We should review our approaches and follow in the footsteps of developed institutions to train our youth,” he suggested. Infrastructure and technology play a crucial role in the development of every segment of society. However, it’s painful to see that we are not sensing the rapid changes around us. Still, many vocational training institutions lack modern facilities and technology. Without improving our physical and technological resources, we cannot equip our youth with modern training and information. Similarly, we also need to incorporate digital skills into our training, as artificial intelligence will transform every section of the society. Dr. Azhar, a faculty member of Government College University, Faisalabad, pointed out that lack of relevance between the skills being taught in our institutions and the requirements of the current job market were the major challenges. He said there was a need to bridge this disparity by aligning the vocational training curriculum with the market demands.

The skill gap challenge is haunting every segment of Pakistan, but the people at the helm seem least interested in improving the situation. We are churning out outdated or irrelevant skills rather than focusing on those that are currently sought after. This approach will intensify unemployment in the country. “The industry players must be involved in vocational training being imparted by the state-run institutions, as they are aware of the surging trends and job demands. These industrialists are instrumental in ensuring practical training for the students of vocational institutions,” he noted.  Talking to WealthPK, Muhammad Irfan, a lecturer at the University of Agriculture Faisalabad, stressed the need for conducting a study to ascertain the skill gap and the changing cultural perceptions.

Without keeping our eye on the changing scenario, we cannot upgrade our infrastructure to ensure inclusivity and utilize international cooperation. An effective and inclusive vocational training system will help Pakistan nurture a skilled youth who can play a pivotal role in strengthening the national economy. Amjad Khan suggested tailoring the training programs so that women and marginalized communities could be equipped with modern training. “We have to bid farewell to theoretical knowledge and ensure access to practical and skilled education for all. The government must join hands with the private sector to create a conducive training environment for women at the industrial units,” he said.

Credit: INP-WealthPk