Islamabad: In a major stride towards strengthening bilateral cooperation in vocational education and skill development, Pakistan and China have agreed to initiate joint training programs in key sectors such as construction engineering, artificial intelligence, agriculture, and hospitality management under the second phase of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). The two sides also began the process of establishing mutual recognition mechanisms for vocational certifications with Saudi Arabia and Oman.
This development was achieved during a high-level visit to China from July 6 to 12, 2025, by Gulmina Bilal Ahmad, Chairperson of Pakistan’s National Vocational and Technical Training Commission (NAVTTC) and Pakistan Side Chairperson of the China-Pakistan TVET-Industrial Center of Excellence (CPTICE). The visit, undertaken under special directives from Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif, aimed at deepening technical and vocational collaboration between the two countries.
During her visit, the delegation held detailed consultations at the Embassy of Pakistan in Beijing, focusing on the implementation of TVET-related provisions of the China-Pakistan Joint Statement. Meetings were held with key institutions including the China International Intellectual Group (CIIC), where agreements were reached on vocational training cooperation, joint curriculum development, and strengthening academia-industry linkages.
Gulmina co-chaired a working session with Li Jinsong, China Side Chairperson of CPTICE, at the TANG International Education Group, which hosts the Chinese Secretariat of CPTICE. It was here that both countries agreed to formally launch collaborative training programs in multiple technical disciplines.
The delegation also visited leading Chinese vocational institutes such as Jinan Vocational College, Anhui Water Conservancy Technical College, and the Zhejiang Institute of Mechanical and Electrical Technician. At Jinan, the “Project 210” smart manufacturing model was introduced, while an MoU was signed with Anhui College to set up the “China-Pakistan Huijiang Workshop,” which includes residential facilities for Pakistani trainers.
A key outcome of the Zhejiang visit was the agreement to establish the “China-Pakistan High-Skilled Talent Training Center” to enhance capabilities in smart manufacturing and e-commerce. The delegation also toured Zhejiang Soton Holding Group—the world’s largest straw manufacturer—where insights were shared on their corporate training model and green practices, with relevance noted for Pakistan’s SME sector.
Throughout the week-long engagement, multiple MoUs and cooperation plans were signed, laying the groundwork for a coordinated mechanism through CPTICE to facilitate mutual training initiatives, certification recognition, and alignment with global labor market demands.
The collaboration is expected to generate significant employment opportunities for Pakistani youth and contribute to building a globally competitive skilled workforce essential for CPEC’s next phase of industrial expansion.
