Germany and UK to help more young people get job skills (07/04/2009)

Germany and UK announced a new commitment to Pakistan’s youth that will lead to better employment and income opportunities for young men and women across the country. With less than 1% of the population currently receiving technical training, this initiative which supports the government of Pakistan’s new National Skills Strategy, is vital for improving the choices for young people in Pakistan.

Supporting young people with the relevant skills and training they need to access jobs is vital for economic development. Responding to young people’s needs also addresses longer term inequalities to improve the country’s stability and security.

The German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and the UK Department for International Development (DFID) have joined forces to support the government’s own priorities in line with strengthening international donor coordination as set out in the Paris Declaration principles and the EU Code of Conduct. Within a multidonor fund of approximately Euros 53 million, DFID is proposing a contribution of up to £30 million over 5 years that will hope to benefit 500,000 young people.

The 5 year programme, developed with the Pakistan National Vocational Technical Education Commission (NAVTEC) in collaboration with German Technical Cooperation (GTZ), DFID and the EU - will, it is proposed, be implemented by GTZ through Delegated Cooperation Agreements between the Germany, the UK and the EU.

“This proposed joint programme on Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) is a very good example of how development partners should coordinate their activities, use their comparative strengths and make use of each other's instruments and capacities for implementation and political dialogue.”, says Federal Minster for Economic Cooperation and Development, Heidemarie Wiezcorek-Zeul.

Eric Hawthorn, Head of DFID Pakistan, says: “With 1 million young people entering the labour market each year, DFID is committed to supporting a future for young men and women in Pakistan. The UK and Germany, in working with the government, are helping to give Pakistan’s youth the skills and training they need to thrive in today’s economy.”


Notes for Editors

The Department for International Development (DFID) is the UK Government department responsible for promoting sustainable development and reducing poverty. The central focus of DFID is a commitment to the internationally agreed Millennium Development Goals to be achieved by 2015.
DFID’s objectives in Pakistan are to work in partnership with the Government of Pakistan, provincial Governments, the international community and other donors to bring enduring and sustainable benefits to the poor.
DFID has launched its new Country Plan for its work in Pakistan over
the next five years in which its priorities are: giving people access to
better health and education; making government more effective; ensuring
growth works for everyone and ensuring the international community works better together.
In November 2006, the UK and Pakistan signed a 10-year Development Partnership Arrangement and the UK announced a doubling of aid to Pakistan to £480 million for the period 2008-2011.