Technical Training Deal with City & Guilds to Empower 50,000 Pakistani Youth Each Year
Islamabad: Pakistan has entered into a strategic agreement with City & Guilds London to provide internationally accredited technical certifications to 50,000 students each year through GEMS UAE.
The announcement was made at a media briefing held upon the return of a high-level delegation from London, led by Minister of State for Education, Ms. Wajiha Qamar. Other members of the delegation included NAVTTC Chairperson Ms. Gulmina Bilal, IBCC Executive Director Mr. Ghulam Ali Mallah, and senior officials from GEMS Middle East and GEMS Pakistan.
The agreement, inked at City & Guilds’ headquarters in London, is aimed at aligning Pakistan’s vocational training standards with international benchmarks. Speaking at the briefing, Ms. Wajiha Qamar and Ms. Gulmina Bilal said the initiative would not only uplift the country’s technical education sector but also enhance job prospects for Pakistani youth across global markets. “We are preparing our young population to meet international demands,” stated Ms. Bilal, underscoring the importance of skill-based education in tackling unemployment.
With 50,000 students to be trained and certified annually, the agreement is expected to open up substantial employment opportunities in Europe, the Middle East, and other regions. The partnership will be implemented through GEMS UAE, with City & Guilds providing the curriculum and certifications. NAVTTC officials hailed the MoU as a “game-changer” for Pakistan’s skilled labor force, saying it will enable youth to gain international recognition and mobility.
During their visit to the UK, the Pakistani delegation also met with The Rt Hon. Lord Boateng to explore broader cooperation on workforce development. Lord Boateng welcomed Pakistan’s efforts and pledged support for future collaborations. The groundwork for this agreement was laid during a UK delegation’s visit to Islamabad in 2024, where Pakistan’s vocational training capacity was acknowledged as a vital asset for international partnerships.
This landmark agreement represents a major milestone in the country’s drive toward economic empowerment through skills development. By integrating global certification standards into Pakistan’s vocational sector, the initiative is poised to transform the lives of thousands of young Pakistanis and bolster the nation’s contribution to the international workforce.
