LAHORE - Better employable skills and improved technical and vocational education training (TVET) is only possible through active involvement of private sector and close collaboration with public sector; leading towards economic prosperity.

This opinion was developed in the joint TVET planning session of All Pakistan Business Forum (APBF), Board of Management Sundar Industrial Estate (BOM-SIE), TEVTA & PVTC, organised here on Tuesday.

The session was organised by the TVET Sector Support Programme, which is funded by the European Union, the Federal Republic of Germany and the Royal Norwegian Embassy, implemented by the Deutsche GesellschaftfürInternationaleZusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH in close collaboration with the National Vocational and Technical Training Commission (NAVTTC) in coordination with BOM-SIE, provincial Technical Education and Vocational Training Authorities (TEVTAs) and private sector organisations.

Stakeholders from public and private sectors agreed to improve collaboration between SIE and training providers by joining hands to identify workforce needs of SIE members and designing and implementing demand driven training programmes in SIE. Moreover, stakeholder agreed to collaborate for TVET advocacy and awareness, by providing strategic guidance regarding the implementation of the TVET reform, discuss policy issues and make the recommendations for improvements of the TVET sector.

Muhammad Asif Ali, President Board of Management Sundar Industrial Estate, welcomed the guests and appreciated the efforts of the Punjab government especially by the Punjab chief minister. Maaz Mahmood, Vice President Board of Management Sundar Industrial Estate, while opening the session, highlighted the importance of cooperation between public and private sector for economic development through skills development.

Lt Col (R) Rao Rashid Ali, Zonal Manager (Centre) TEVTA welcomed the participation of SIE and APBF in TVET initiatives and offered to support in addressing workforce needs of SIE jointly. President and VP SIE showed gratitude to TVET SSP for playing an active in TVET reforms and support in building collaboration. He focused on way forward and future implications which TVET will have for development of SIE and endorsed joint working of public and private sector to address workforce needs of SIE members.