- Only 0.82% of Pakistani students pursue technical education — far below the global average
- Pakistan’s labour market demands one million skilled workers; only 450,000 are produced annually
In an era where the global economy increasingly relies on skilled labour, Pakistan faces a critical shortage in technical and vocational education that threatens both its economic growth and social mobility. While many developed countries are training between 1,500 to 2,500 technicians per million people, Pakistan only trains around 64 technicians per million. This stark disparity highlights an urgent need for systemic reform and investment in the country’s technical education sector.
Currently, only 0.82% of students in Pakistan pursue vocational and technical education, far below the global average of 16%. This is not just a statistical concern — it’s a developmental crisis. The nation produces roughly 450,000 skilled workers annually, while the labor market demands at least 1 million. This deficit of 550,000 skilled individuals each year weakens the country’s ability to compete regionally and globally.
The network of approximately 3,634 technical and vocational institutions — 56% of which are private — lacks the capacity to absorb a larger student body or keep up with technological advancements. Many of these institutions suffer from outdated curricula, inadequate infrastructure, and a shortage of qualified instructors, all of which undermine the quality and relevance of training.
Chronic underinvestment
Pakistan’s financial commitment to education remains one of the lowest in the region, with just 1.5% of its GDP allocated to the sector in 2022–23. Of this, technical and vocational education received a meager PKR 6.98 billion — approximately USD 43.7 million — constituting merely 0.1% of the national budget. This figure falls drastically short of what is needed to revamp the system and meet the rising demands of a modern economy.
One of the more subtle but equally significant challenges lies in societal attitudes. Technical education is often seen as inferior to academic degrees, deterring many students from enrolling in vocational programs. This cultural bias not only marginalizes technical skills but also leaves millions of youth jobless or underemployed, despite the potential for immediate employability through vocational training.
Pathways to reform
Recognising these issues, the government introduced the 2018 TVET (Technical and Vocational Education and Training) Policy, which seeks to align training with market needs and increase the annual number of trained individuals to one million. Public-private partnerships are also emerging, with entities like the Sitara Group and Pakistan Steel engaging in collaborative training programs that enhance industry relevance and employability.
To make real progress, however, more needs to be done. Increased budgetary allocations, modernisation of curricula, investments in instructor training, and awareness campaigns to shift societal perceptions are critical. Furthermore, leveraging digital tools and e-learning platforms can expand access to vocational education in remote and underserved areas.
Conclusion
Technical education holds the key to unlocking Pakistan’s economic potential and addressing youth unemployment. The country stands at a crossroads: continue underinvesting and face widening inequalities, or embrace reform and equip its youth with the skills needed for a prosperous future. The path is clear; what remains is the political will and public resolve to walk it.
(The writer is student at University of Sargodha)