ILO supported Sindh TEVTA in establishing 147 Institute Management Committees to strengthen ‘Industry-Institute Linkages’

The Empowering Vulnerable Groups through Education, Employment and Training (EET project) has supported Sindh Technical Education and Vocational Training Authority in strengthening industry-institute linkages (IIL) and work place learning (WPL) for TEVT institutes. In this regard studies to look at the current IIL and WPL practices were undertaken. The national seminar was held to present the findings and recommendations of the studies and to bring to light enablers and barriers of workplace learning in the context to technical and vocational education; and promote importance of IIL and WPL in workforce skills development.

Press release | Islamabad, Pakistan | 16 April 2013

“With the technical support of ILO, Sindh TEVTA has established has established 147 Institute-Management Committees (IMCs) to establish and strengthen linkages of TEVT Institutes with local Industries”. This was stated by the Director Sindh TEVTA, Syed Nazar Ali, in a National Seminar on ‘Promoting Industry Institute Linkages –to improve the quality and relevance of Technical Education and Vocational Training (TVET)’.

Industry involvement in curriculum development; training of students; work place learning and apprenticeships; career counseling and vocational guidance, are different models of industry-institution linkages that exist internationally. These activities positively influence the quality and relevance of TVET and improve the use of skills in industry. Industry and institution linkage system is increasingly becoming the most important feature of TVET in its orientation towards development of workforce in the world of work.

The seminar’s plenary session focused primarily on:

1. Strengthening TEVT institute linkages with industry;

2. Revival and promotion of apprenticeship programs;

3. Importance of work place learning to increase employability and support skill development.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Francesco d’Ovidio, Country Director, ILO Pakistan highlighted ILO’s Recommendation 195 Concerning Human Resource Development: Education, Training and Lifelong Learning which guides the member States as they seek to develop the knowledge and skills of their workforces so as to achieve higher productivity while promoting social inclusion. It also constitutes the policy framework for the ILO’s work on skills development. Within, the national priority area of competitiveness, productivity and jobs, the ILO’s support for skills development focuses on three cross-cutting main issues: i) the reform of national skills strategies and policies; ii) the role of the private sector in skills development; and iii) changing patterns of work organization.

Mr. Paul Comyn, Senior Vocational Skills and Development Specialist from ILO office in Delhi, gave an overview of Global and Regional experiences in Industry Institute Linkages and Workplace Learning. He highlighted that ssuccessful industry-institute linkages depend on: partnerships, commitment, trust, long term vision; decentralised, flexible models which enable multi-stakeholder involvement; partnership that stimulate workplace learning and innovation; capable local/provincial governments and institutions; government supported enabling environment through subsidies, tax rebates, incentives, joint financing, tax rebates etc; and a culture of lifelong learning and continuous career pathways.

Two recent studies on ‘Promoting Workplace Learning’ and ‘Strengthening Institute Management Committees (IMC)’ were presented to the audience and a lively discussion took place on replication of these interventions in other parts of the country.

The initiative is part of ILO’s national project “Empowering Vulnerable Groups through Employment, Education & Training (EET)”. Major objective for this project is to support socio-economic development through investment in education, skills, entrepreneurship and legal empowerment for attaining decent work agenda in Pakistan. This project is part of ILO’s contribution to the One-UN Programme.

For further information please contact:

Ms Shama Maqbool
Programme Officer
Empowering Vulnerable Groups through Education, Employment and Training (EET Project)
ILO Country Office for Pakistan
Email

Tel.: +92 51 2276456