The government takes significant measures to bridge the skills gap and improve the global competitiveness of workers hoping to work abroad, especially in the Middle East.

During a national assembly session, parliamentary secretary of federal education and professional education, Farah Naz Akbar, outlined the Government’s Development Strategy for Workforce.

The government has established Pakistan Skill Company and Pakistan Skill Development Fund to centralize and improve vocational education throughout the country.

Revisions of National Vocational Qualification Framework (NVQF) have also adapted Pakistani qualifications with international standards, especially for the European Union (EU) and Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries.

The government incorporates life and soft skills-such as communication, problem solving, teamwork and work ethics-to technical and vocational education programs aimed at meeting the needs of Middle Eastern employers.

In addition, the curriculum is updated to reflect industry trends and technological advances to ensure that Pakistani workers are prepared to develop job market requirements.

As the government switches to competence -based training programs that focus on practical skills and practical experience, the government ensures that workers are not only trained but also skilled at the job -specific skills that employers require in the Middle East.

These reforms are part of a wider strategy to increase Pakistan’s workforce and create better employment opportunities for qualified workers abroad.

In response to concern about the tragic boat accidents involving illegal immigrants trying to reach European banks, authorities are also working to open legal employment options abroad.