TVET Sector Support Programme (TVET SSP) is facilitating the reintegration of returnees under its component, ‘Reintegration of Returnees in Pakistan,’ which is funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ).
While addressing the beneficiaries, Olaf Handloegten, Head of TVET Sector Support Programme and Cluster Coordinator Sustainable Economic Development, Training and Employment (CASEDTE) GIZ Pakistan, said, “The German Development Cooperation has always considered skills development in Pakistan to be essential and the impact it can create on the social and economic development of this country is potentially immense.
He said that a steady economy depended on the economic stability of its workers, specifically in the informal sector and added that supporting small businesses and self-employment through the provision of in-kind support was definitely a step in the right direction.
Olaf said, “We are hopeful that our intervention areas related to career and entrepreneurship advisory services, and employment promotion will continue to be fruitful for the beneficiaries in Pakistan.” TVET Sector Support Programme is being implemented by Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH in partnership with the National Vocational and Technical Training Commission (NAVTTC), and in close collaboration with the provincial Technical Education and Vocational Training Authorities (TEVTAs) and several not-for-profit, public, and private sector organisations. The beneficiaries were trained in a full-day workshop on “Career and Entrepreneurship Advisory” prior to the in-kind support handover ceremony.
Beneficiaries from Punjab and KP, who participated in the workshop, will now be able to start their own businesses upon their return to their hometowns.
Muhammad Nazir Khan, a returnee from Oman, while collecting his electrician toolkit at the event said, “Whenever people like us come back to Pakistan, we struggle – there aren’t too many opportunities or support services available for returning migrants.”
“This initiative sounds promising and the toolkits we are receiving today will enable us to run businesses and become financially stable,” he added.
Speaking on the occasion, Director General National Vocational & Technical Training Commission, Mujeeb ur Rehman said, “The support we have received from German Development Cooperation is substantial and it is an absolutely satisfying sight to see practical measures being taken to reintegrate returnees.”
“Training people on how to start new businesses and providing them with toolkits as a follow-up measure will ensure that the beneficiaries become independent in the long run,” he said.
The ‘Reintegration of Returnees in Pakistan’ component of TVET SSP, aims to facilitate the socio-economic development of Pakistani returnees and the locals by offering them quick and effective start-up opportunities, especially in Punjab, as it is one of the regions most affected by return migration.
The component will support 15,000 individuals, including 6,500 returnees from Germany and Gulf Cooperation Council countries through various support measures including Career and Entrepreneurship Advisory Services, Competency-based Training & Assessments, Recognition of Prior Learning, and Employment Promotion.