Pakistan and China have taken a significant step in deepening cooperation on vocational training under the second phase of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), agreeing to launch joint programs in fields such as construction engineering, artificial intelligence, agriculture, and hospitality management. The initiative also involves parallel efforts with Saudi Arabia and Oman to establish mutual recognition frameworks for skills and vocational certifications, a move aimed at opening broader employment opportunities for Pakistani workers abroad.
These developments stem from the July 6–12 visit of National Vocational and Technical Training Commission (NAVTTC) Chairperson Gulmina Bilal Ahmad to China. Undertaken on the special instructions of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and senior officials overseeing the Prime Minister’s Youth Programme, the visit was designed to advance cooperation through the China-Pakistan TVET-Industrial Centre of Excellence (CPTICE)—the only formal bilateral platform linking education and industry. During meetings at the Pakistani Embassy in Beijing and with the Tang International Education Group, Ms Ahmad co-chaired working sessions with her Chinese counterpart, Li Jinsong, to discuss the implementation of technical and vocational provisions in the China-Pakistan Joint Statement.
The Pakistani delegation also toured several Chinese vocational institutions, including Jinan Vocational College, Anhui Water Conservancy Technical College, and Zhejiang Institute, where agreements were reached to establish specialized facilities such as the China-Pakistan Huijiang Workshop and a High-Skilled Talent Training Center focusing on smart manufacturing, e-commerce, and modern agricultural techniques. These partnerships aim to combine Chinese technical expertise with Pakistan’s growing demand for skilled manpower, ensuring graduates are better equipped for the demands of the global economy.
In a significant follow-up development, early August saw Pakistan and China sign a formal vocational training agreement hailed by Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal as a “transformative journey” for the country’s youth. Integrated with the URAAN Pakistan initiative, the pact seeks to prepare the next generation of Pakistanis for the Fourth Industrial Revolution by aligning training programs with cutting-edge technologies and international industry standards. Officials believe the collaboration will not only strengthen the country’s human capital but also give CPEC’s industrial zones a workforce capable of driving innovation and competitiveness.
