EU Launches Program to Boost Youth Employment in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

The European Union has initiated a groundbreaking program aimed at equipping the youth of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) with the necessary skills to secure lucrative employment opportunities. This transformative endeavor has commenced at the Vocational Training Center of Excellence in Hayatabad, previously bolstered by EU support, marking a significant milestone for the Team Europe Initiative dedicated to fostering green employment prospects and infrastructure reconstruction in KP.

Collaborating closely with the German government, the EU is channeling efforts to enhance vocational training throughout KP. The program seeks to bolster selected vocational education and training institutions across the province by enhancing infrastructure, upgrading staff capabilities, and modernizing curricula to align with evolving labor market demands. The overarching goal is to drive economic growth and sustainability across the region.

This latest EU initiative places a strategic focus on skill development in vital sectors such as agribusiness, water, and energy. As an integral facet of the broader Team Europe Initiative, which encompasses the EU, France, Germany, and Italy, the program prioritizes economic revitalization through the creation of green employment opportunities.

Addressing the launch event, Special Assistant to the Chief Minister of KP, Abdul Karim Thordar, underscored the government's commitment to revitalizing the provincial economy and lauded the pivotal role of the Technical and Vocational Education and Training Program in this endeavor.

EU Ambassador to Pakistan, Dr. Reena Kivinka, emphasized the significance of TV sector reforms in KP, emphasizing their profound impact on youth empowerment. Dr. Kivinka highlighted that 35% of KP's population comprises youth, underscoring the imperative of equipping them with essential skills to drive socioeconomic progress. She expressed optimism that empowering the youth through education would pave the way for sustainable economic development, positioning the program as a catalyst for harnessing KP's vast youthful demographic.

Dr. Sebastian Past, Head of Cooperation at the German Embassy, echoed these sentiments, emphasizing the growing influence of Team Europe partners, Germany and the EU, in bolstering the TV sector and expanding employment prospects for KP's youth.

Enhancing TVET Sector for Sustainable Growth

The TVET Sector Support Program, spanning five years, aims to fortify Pakistan's TVET sector, offering training opportunities for both men and women in high-demand occupations. This initiative seeks to cultivate Pakistan's human capital and foster decent employment prospects, particularly in green and digital sectors.

Building upon the successes and insights gleaned from previous phases, the program endeavors to empower skilled women in digital and high-tech fields while enhancing capabilities in eco-friendly domains such as agribusiness, water, and energy. Implementation will be jointly overseen by GIZ and the British Council.