Human Resource Development Network (HRDN) having a footprint across Pakistan through its 180+ member organizations and 800+ individual members is a think tank of experts and professionals on Human resource development from diverse backgrounds. All Member’s Meeting (AMM) is the tradition of HRDN for the last 22 years, which attracts participation from top of the line esteemed institutes and professionals from diverse backgrounds. The event provides opportunities for interacting, learning and knowledge sharing among HRD professionals, donors and government sector. The theme of this year’s AMM was carefully selected in the vein of empowering youth to keep pace with a fast-changing world of work.
The main purpose of organizing the 22nd Hybrid All Members’ Meeting 2021 on the theme “Quality Apprenticeships: The Way Forward in Pakistan”, focusing on Using Apprenticeships as tool to recover job-losses due to COVID-19 was to assess the existing situation of Apprenticeships System in Pakistan and identify strategies to be adopted by the government, development sector and civil society to use Apprenticeship as a tool to recover job-losses due to COVID-19. The conference was organized in collaboration with International Labour Organization (ILO) and Institute of Rural Management (IRM).
The eminent experts like Mr. Nazar Ali CEO SDC, Mr. Hafeez Abbasi DG NAVTTC, Mr. Saad Gillani Senior Programme Officer ILO and Ms. Robeela Bangash CEO HRDN were the panelists to shed light on the topic.
Dr. Roomi S. Hayat, Chairperson HRDN, a prominent expert in the field of Human Resource Development opened the event by welcoming all the participants at the event. He said that Pakistan is a YOUNG County. To empower youth and to enable young people to acquire the relevant competencies to facilitate their transition from the world of education to the world of work it’s time to address the challenge of creating employment opportunities for bulging youth in productive sectors of the economy. He further added that quality apprenticeships have the potential to equip people with the relevant competencies to navigate the challenges in the world of work throughout their lives, they are considered to be an important element
of the system of lifelong learning. Quality apprenticeships also have the potential to improve the productivity and competitiveness of enterprises.
Syed Nazar Ali, CEO, SDC, on the occasion presented an overview of the vocational training in Pakistan and said that the on-job training model is highly effective to engage youth and include them in the skilled work force. Thus, it may lead to economic growth of the country through the creation of new job opportunities. The vocational training also includes attitude training which is critical to get well-adjusted in the job market by having a good grasp on the norms of the industry.
Mr Hafeez Abbasi, Director General NAVTTC, Islamabad, was of the view that National Vocational & Technical Training Commission (NAVTTC) aims at fulfilling the Government’s vision for building a developed industrialized and prosperous Pakistan. He said that the new laws are being introduced regarding the apprenticeship that is aimed to develop human resource through the industries while making the process part of the industrial development.
He informed the participants that NAVTTC is already working on the development public-private partnership to allow synergy for economic development. He added further that we need to promote apprenticeship and vocational skills to enhance the employability of the youth.
MsRobeela Bangash, CEO, HRDN highlighted the fact that we have a shortage of competent human resource to achieve professional excellence towards sustainable development it is the need of time to facilitate capacity development and evidence based policy advocacy. She added the current landscape of apprenticeship in Pakistan and emphasized on enhancing public-private partnerships and involving corporate sector in the process to synergize this key sector of the economy.
In the end, it was concluded by Mr. Saad Gillani that we have good laws and institutions to promote youth employment through Apprenticeship but there are several governance issues to implement such laws with letter and spirit and benefit the youth, it is the need of time to make quick decisions to benefit our youth because every year, 1. 5 million new job entrants require our quick consideration. He also emphasized that for HRDN members, CSOs and HRD Professionals, there is an opportunity in this situation. They can step in and bridge this gap by awareness raising, Advocacy, and extending technical help to NAVTTC, TEVTAs and employers for implementation of Apprenticeship system in Pakistan.
At the end progress of HRDN during the year was shared with members and their feedback was welcomed for improvement in the network and overall scenario of Human Resource Development in Pakistan.
