Ayesha Saba

Pakistan has launched a joint skills development programme in collaboration with China to strengthen human capital and modernise the country’s labour force. The key milestone was achieved with the signing of a five-party agreement involving the Technical Education and Vocational Training Authority, Shandong College of Electronic Technology, Lancmall, GCT for Women, Lytton Road, Lahore, and ITMC Technology Co. Ltd. The agreement includes the establishment of ‘Ban-Mo Academy’ to focus on cross-border e-commerce and digital skills training, particularly to empower young women with market-relevant technical expertise.

Talking about the agreement, Mehmood Khalid, former project director of the Center of Excellence-CPEC and head of the fiscal policy section at Pakistan Institute of Development Economics, told WealthPK that this collaboration is a strategic move to address Pakistan’s skilled labour shortage while aligning its workforce with the demands of emerging industries, particularly those linked to Chinese investments under CPEC.

He noted that such programmes are essential for generating employment and ensuring that Pakistan’s workforce can compete in a globalised economy. He emphasised that technical skills in sectors such as e-commerce, IT, and renewable energy will be critical as Pakistan seeks to attract further foreign investment in these areas. Khalid added that Pakistan has long faced a skills mismatch in the labour market, with thousands of graduates struggling to find employment due to a lack of industry-relevant expertise.

“This programme could address structural unemployment issue if implemented effectively.” He said China is also extending help in the education sector by offering scholarships, vocational training, and Chinese language courses to Pakistani youth and providing opportunities for academic and research collaboration. “Human resources and workforce development become increasingly important as industrialisation gains momentum. People-centric business models recognise that skills, knowledge, and creativity of individuals are critical assets,” he underscored.

“There will be a growing need for a skilled workforce that can adapt to evolving technologies and market demands. This transition calls for a workforce that is not only technically proficient but also well-rounded, culturally aware, and capable of international collaboration,” Khalid emphasised. “Collaboration with China for human capital development, especially in technology, is critical, thereby enhancing the human development index of both the nations,” he said.

Credit: INP-WealthPk