ISLAMABAD: There is a need to involve women in Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) programmes for their as well as the country’s economic growth, Minister of Federal Education and Professional Training Shafqat Mehmood said on Friday.

He was speaking at the launching ceremony of three research studies conducted by National Vocational and Technical Training Commission (NAVTTC) to promote women participation at all levels, especially in the skill sector, and provide maximum employment opportunities to them.

The research studies were titled ‘Participatory gender assessment of NAVTTC and provincial Tevtas’, ‘Organisational assessment of women TVET institutions’ and ‘Analysis of job market opportunities for women in Sindh and Balochistan’.

Minister says its our responsibility to add women to the workforce

MNAs Andleeb Abbas and Wajiha Akram, the parliamentary secretary for education, European Union Ambassador Jean Francois Cautian, NAVTTC Chairman Syed Javed Hassan, the commission’s executive director, Dr Nasir Khan, and representatives from public and private sectors were present on the occasion.

“Our women are very intelligent and hardworking; around 80pc of the top position holders in almost every field of education are female and its our responsibility to add them to the workforce after they complete their studies,” the minister said.

He added that there was a need to analyse the social and cultural factors and determine what can be done to bring women into mainstream economy, he said.

“Creation of conducive work environment, establishment of day care centres, provision of transport facilities from home to work place, effective anti-harassment laws and other incentives such as maternity leave policy were some of the factors that contributed to better employment of women,” the minister said.

MNA Andleeb Abbas appreciated the findings of the studies and termed them a step in the right direction for providing a way forward to NAVTTC to work for gender equity, perform its role as the apex TVET body and implement recommendations in the light of the findings in provinces.

“Skill building and training are very important and these studies will help us understand the areas in which we are lacking in addressing the gender gap in various fields,” she said.

NAVTTC Chairman Syed Javed Hassan endorsed the recommendations of the studies and ensured that the commission would take a lead in implementing the proposals.

Dr Nasir Khan said women’s participation in TVET programmes and formal labour market was a big challenge for technical and vocational education service providers.

“Women represent 49pc of the total population and only 24pc participate in the labour market. Only 36pc of the women acquire competencies in formal TVET programmes and NAVTTC is taking practical measures to ensure maximum participation of women in the skill sector,” he added.

The flagship studies provide a detailed analysis of existing policy framework, systems, structures, competence, resources, recent trends of gender mainstreaming, organisational culture and perceptions of officials in these institutions regarding promotion of women’s participation in TVET and labour market in the country.

The minister also distributed certificates among 110 master trainers in various areas of TVET. The training is conducted by the Melbourne Polytechnic, Australia, in collaboration with NAVTTC.

Published in Dawn, May 4th, 2019