There have been plenty of partnerships between Pakistan and various other foreign countries like China, Germany and Iran. This time round, the bond between Korea and Pakistan is going to get stronger after both countries are involved in a partnership where the former country will help promote Pakistan’s technical and vocational sector.

Counsellor of Korean Embassy Minister, Kim Jim Wook, called on National Vocational and Technical Training Commission (NAVTTC) Executive Director, Zulfiqar Ahmad Cheema, on Monday to promote connections and links in technical and vocational sector between two countries, Pakistan and Korea.

According to a press release statement, Executive Director of NAVTTC, Ahmad Cheema briefed the Korean Embassy Minister on the milestones that have been achieved by NAVTTC in bringing about a standard shift in technical vocational education and training (TVET) delivery in Pakistan.

Ahmad Cheema explained the role of NAVTTC as a peak body which is mandated to regulate and frame the policies at the national level. Providing directions to all stakeholders of TVET sector in the country is also instructed.

While pointing out amiable and cordial relations between Pakistan and Korea, Ahmad Cheema said that it would benefit NAVTTC to learn from the experience and quality of vocational training standards of Korea. He stated that:

“We are facing certain challenges to attract young people towards technical and vocational education as the general perception of people is still focused on acquiring conventional education”

NAVTTC exposes the youth of the country to head towards the right direction so that they could become more productive members and contribute more towards socio-economic development of the country. Moreover, NAVTTC also made necessary arrangements of skill competitions nationwide in order to counter this dilemma and to bring positivity among youth. Many graduates were also given on spot jobs.

Ahmad Cheema stressed on the significance of technical and vocational education and termed it as a pinnacle of peace and progress. He stated that:

“Our top priority was to build state of the art institutes of international standard and to have top quality instructors for technical training”

The Korean Minister also lauded the role of NAVTTC and he ensured to provide all the technical assistance to boost the TVET sector in Pakistan. The Minister also offered to upgrade the National Training Bureau into a state of the art vocational university.

With the assistance of Korean International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), steps would also be taken to upgrade the labs and equipment in the technical and vocational institutes of the country.