Islamabad: Pakistan and China have agreed to launch joint training programmes in key sectors including artificial intelligence, construction engineering, agriculture, and hospitality management as part of efforts to prepare a skilled workforce for the second phase of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).
The announcement was made following the official visit of Gulmina Bilal Ahmad, Chairperson of the National Vocational and Technical Training Commission (NAVTTC) and Pakistan Side Chairperson of the China-Pakistan TVET-Industrial Center of Excellence (CPTICE), to China from July 6 to 12. The visit aimed to enhance bilateral cooperation in Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) and was carried out under the direction of Prime Minister Mian Shahbaz Sharif and senior government officials.
During the visit, the Pakistani delegation held working sessions at the Embassy of Pakistan in Beijing and met with senior representatives of various Chinese institutions, including the China International Intellectual Group (CIIC) and TANG International Education Group. A key outcome was the agreement to develop joint curricula, strengthen academic-industry linkages, and launch collaborative training initiatives in several high-demand fields.
Gulmina Bilal Ahmad also confirmed that steps have been initiated to establish mutual recognition mechanisms for skills and vocational certifications with Saudi Arabia and Oman. This move is expected to improve employment opportunities for Pakistani skilled workers in Gulf countries.
The delegation visited multiple Chinese vocational institutions, including Jinan Vocational College, Anhui Water Conservancy Technical College, and the Zhejiang Institute of Mechanical and Electrical Technician. At these institutes, discussions focused on smart manufacturing, e-commerce, and green industrial practices.
An MoU was signed with Anhui College to establish the “China-Pakistan Huijiang Workshop,” which will include training facilities and accommodation for Pakistani instructors. Another agreement was reached with the Zhejiang Institute to establish a “China-Pakistan High-Skilled Talent Training Center,” aimed at advancing skills in cutting-edge sectors such as smart manufacturing.
The delegation also toured Zhejiang Soton Holding Group, the world’s largest straw manufacturing company, where they observed corporate training models that may serve as templates for skills development in Pakistan’s SME sector.
Throughout the week-long visit, several MoUs and implementation frameworks were signed, further strengthening Pakistan-China cooperation in vocational and technical education under the broader CPEC framework.
Samra Zulfiqar, a real estate analyst at Zameen.com, is passionate about finding projects that offer buyers the best returns. Her keen insights spotlight the market’s most promising opportunities.
