Pakistan and China have inked agreements to launch collaborative training programs in key sectors like construction engineering, artificial intelligence, agriculture, and hospitality management as part of the second phase of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). In a major step toward regional workforce integration, Pakistan has also begun discussions to establish mutual recognition mechanisms for vocational certifications with Saudi Arabia and Oman.
The breakthrough came during a high-profile visit by Gulmina Bilal Ahmad, Chairperson of Pakistan’s National Vocational and Technical Training Commission (NAVTTC), to China from July 6–12. The delegation, acting on the directives of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, PM’s Youth Programme Chairman Rana Mashhood Ahmad Khan, and Federal Education Minister Dr. Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui, aimed to strengthen technical and vocational education (TVET) ties between the two nations.
Under the China-Pakistan TVET-Industrial Centre of Excellence (CPTICE)—the premier bilateral industry-education forum—the delegation held strategic talks at the Pakistani Embassy in Beijing to advance TVET commitments from the recent China-Pakistan Joint Statement. A key highlight was the meeting with TANG International Education Group (CPTICE’s Chinese Secretariat), where NAVTTC and China’s CPTICE Chairperson Li Jinsong co-chaired a working session to finalize implementation plans.
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“This partnership will equip Pakistani youth with cutting-edge skills and global employability,” said Ahmad, emphasizing CPEC’s role in bridging industry demands with workforce readiness. The move signals Pakistan’s push to align its vocational training with international standards, leveraging Chinese expertise while expanding Gulf cooperation.