Pakistan, China Expand TVET Cooperation Under CPEC Phase II

Report by “Safarti Tarjuman” International News Desk

ISLAMABAD — Pakistan and China have agreed to launch joint vocational training programs in fields including construction engineering, artificial intelligence, agriculture, and hospitality management under the second phase of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).

3

The breakthrough was achieved during a week-long visit to China by 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). Conducted from 6–12 July 2025, the visit followed directives from Prime Minister Mian Shahbaz Sharif and senior government leaders to strengthen Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) collaboration.

Under the CPTICE framework—the official bilateral platform for industry-education collaboration—the visit focused on developing a skilled workforce to support CPEC Phase II’s industrial goals. The Pakistani delegation aimed to secure partnerships that would equip youth with globally competitive technical skills aligned with international labor market demands.

During the visit, the delegation held discussions at the Embassy of Pakistan in Beijing to implement TVET provisions of the China-Pakistan Joint Statement. Meetings with China International Intellectual Group (CIIC) led to agreements on joint vocational training, curriculum development, and strengthening industry-academia linkages.

A key outcome was the agreement with TANG International Education Group to launch collaborative training programs in AI, construction, agriculture, and hospitality management.

NAVTTC’s Chairperson announced plans for mutual recognition of skills certifications with Saudi Arabia and Oman to support Pakistani workers abroad. Agreements were signed with multiple Chinese vocational colleges to establish training centers and workshops, including the “China-Pakistan Huijiang Workshop” and the “China-Pakistan High-Skilled Talent Training Center,” focusing on smart manufacturing and e-commerce.

The delegation visited Jinan Vocational College, where they learned about the “Project 210” smart manufacturing training model. The team also toured Zhejiang Soton Holding Group, the world’s largest straw manufacturer, recognizing its employee training and green industrial practices as valuable models for Pakistan’s SME sector.

During the visit, multiple MoUs, working plans, and cooperation agreements were signed to operationalize TVET collaboration. Through CPTICE, both countries will establish a coordinated system for joint training, international recognition of certifications, and alignment with global labor market needs.

This strategic partnership is expected to create new employment opportunities for Pakistani youth while delivering the skilled workforce necessary for CPEC Phase II’s industrial expansion.

Thank you for reading! For comprehensive news coverage and exclusive stories, visit SafartiTarjuman.com