Pakistan has officially authorized the UK-based City & Guilds education board to operate in the country, marking a significant step toward expanding access to internationally recognized academic and vocational qualifications. The approval was granted by the Inter-Board Committee of Chairmen (IBCC), allowing the board to function under national education regulations.
Under the authorization, City & Guilds will offer a range of academic, vocational, and skill-based programs designed to meet both local and global workforce needs. A key component of the rollout is the launch of the GEMS Pathway, which provides certifications equivalent to the Secondary School Certificate (SSC) and Higher Secondary School Certificate (HSSC), alongside globally portable vocational credentials.
The initiative was formally unveiled at the “Shaping Future Pakistan” Global Skills Summit held in Karachi. The event was attended by Minister of State for Education Wajiha Qamar, National Vocational and Technical Training Commission (NAVTTC) Chairperson Ghulmina Bilal, and IBCC Executive Director Ghulam Ali Mollah, among other education and skills sector stakeholders.
Speaking at the summit, Minister Wajiha Qamar welcomed City & Guilds as a globally established education body and highlighted its potential to strengthen Pakistan’s education and skills ecosystem. She emphasized that internationally benchmarked qualifications could help Pakistani students and professionals compete more effectively in global markets.
IBCC Executive Director Ghulam Ali Mollah confirmed that City & Guilds has been fully authorized to operate in Pakistan in line with national education policies, adding that the move would broaden pathways for students seeking both academic and skills-based education.
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City & Guilds has been active in Pakistan’s vocational training sector for several years. With the new authorization, it will expand into general education, offering skill certificates recognized as equivalent to Intermediate and A-Level qualifications, in addition to its existing vocational programs. The development is expected to provide students with flexible education pathways that combine academic learning with practical, job-ready skills.
