Mainstreaming TVET

The article examines the growing importance of work-based training (WBT) in strengthening Pakistan’s construction sector and improving employment outcomes for technical and vocational education and training (TVET) graduates. As Pakistan experiences rapid infrastructure growth driven by projects such as CPEC and expanding real estate development, demand for skilled construction workers — including masons, welders, plumbers, carpenters, and heavy vehicle operators — is increasing significantly. The sector is expected to require an additional 1.5 million workers over the next five years.

Despite this growing demand, the article highlights a major skills gap within Pakistan’s current workforce. Although the country has over 2,100 TVET institutes, including hundreds offering construction-related courses, most programmes remain heavily theoretical. As a result, many graduates lack the practical experience needed for employment in modern construction environments. High dropout rates among Diploma of Associate Engineering (DAE) students further reflect the need for more engaging and employment-oriented training systems.

The article presents work-based training as a practical solution to bridge the gap between education and industry requirements. WBT enables students and graduates to gain hands-on experience directly within construction sites and workplaces. Evidence presented in the article suggests that graduates who undergo WBT have significantly better employment outcomes, including higher job placement rates, stronger private-sector participation, and improved earnings.

Pakistan’s Apprenticeship Act 2018 is identified as an important policy framework supporting this transition. The law requires employers to provide apprenticeship opportunities equivalent to at least five per cent of their workforce. The article argues that stronger implementation of this legislation — particularly within both public and private construction projects — could create substantial opportunities for TVET graduates while helping companies reduce recruitment costs, improve productivity, and develop industry-specific skills.

The article also highlights the scale of opportunity within government-led infrastructure projects. A large majority of Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP) initiatives are construction-related, representing a potential source of thousands of training placements for TVET students each year. Ministries connected to housing, communications, water resources, and power development alone could accommodate significant numbers of trainees annually.

Overall, the article argues that expanding work-based training is essential for addressing Pakistan’s construction-sector labour shortages and broader youth unemployment challenges. By integrating practical industry experience into vocational education and fully implementing apprenticeship policies, Pakistan can develop a more skilled, productive, and employable workforce capable of supporting long-term national development.