The Citizens Foundation’s Post

Tackling the Jobless Graduate Crisis in Pakistan Pakistan faces a growing challenge with jobless graduates, underscoring a critical gap between education and employment. Despite high numbers of graduates each year, many struggle to find suitable jobs due to mismatches between academic training and industry needs. Key Issues 1. Educational Mismatch: Curricula often lag behind industry demands, leaving graduates underprepared for the job market. 2. Economic Challenges: Economic instability and limited job creation contribute to high unemployment rates. 3. Skills Gap: Graduates frequently lack practical skills and hands-on experience. Solutions 1. Curriculum Overhaul: Revise academic programs to better align with market needs. 2. Vocational Training: Increase opportunities for internships and practical training. 3. Entrepreneurship: Encourage entrepreneurial initiatives among graduates. 4. Collaborative Efforts: Strengthen partnerships between educational institutions, the government, and the private sector. Addressing these issues through targeted reforms and collaboration can better equip graduates for the workforce and reduce unemployment.

🎗️Reflecting on my #tenure as District Director (Operations) in Rahim Yar Khan TEVTA Punjab (2006 & 2023), I'm proud to share some key milestones and achievements that have shaped my Professional Journey: - 📈 𝐄𝐧𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐝 𝐄𝐧𝐫𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭: Successfully boosted overall enrollment across all Institutes in the district, ensuring wider access to education and skill development. - 🛠️ 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐜 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠: Planned, organized, and implemented technical and vocational programs, optimizing resource allocation & program effectiveness. - 💼 𝐁𝐮𝐝𝐠𝐞𝐭 𝐒𝐮𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧: Managed the budget for Institutes, ensuring efficient resource utilization and strict adherence to financial regulations. - 👥 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐟𝐟 𝐌𝐚𝐧𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭: Supervised and evaluated instructors and support staff, ensuring the delivery of high-quality training and education. - 📊 𝐏𝐞𝐫𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐄𝐯𝐚𝐥𝐮𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧: Oversaw the reporting and evaluation of TVETA District Institutes, focusing on student outcomes and institutional achievements. - 🏗️ 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐣𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐌𝐨𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠: Monitored all field existing projects, ensuring their timely completion and success. - 🧾 𝐀𝐝𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐎𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭: Managed the administrative and financial matters of over 1,200 government employees. - 📝 𝐏𝐂1 𝐃𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐩𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭: Led the development of PC1 documents, including civil and revenue components, for district projects. - 🔗 𝐈𝐧𝐝𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐲 𝐂𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧: Established strong industrial links with the Chamber of Commerce, enhancing career opportunities for students. - 🤝 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩𝐬 & 𝐌𝐎𝐔𝐬: Oversaw the implementation of MOUs with public/private partners like NAVTTC, City Traffic Police, Irrigation Dept., and others. - 📜 𝐂𝐞𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐂𝐨𝐨𝐫𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧: Maintained relationships with qualification awarding bodies to ensure alignment with certification requirements. - 🔍 𝐑𝐢𝐬𝐤 𝐌𝐚𝐧𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭: Identified and mitigated risks through strategic planning, safeguarding organizational interests. - 🎓 𝐂𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐫 𝐃𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐩𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭: Supervised career development activities, organized expos & job fairs, connected students with potential employers. - 📈 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐮𝐨𝐮𝐬 𝐈𝐦𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭: Collected and reviewed alumni employment data to drive continuous improvement. - 🌟 𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩 & 𝐌𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩: Motivated my team by providing mentoring and development opportunities, fostering a culture of excellence. These experiences have not only enhanced my leadership skills but have also allowed me to make a meaningful impact on the lives of countless students and professionals in the district. Grateful for the journey and excited for what's next! 🌟 #Leadership #DistrictOperations #CareerDevelopment #Education #SkillDevelopment #Mentorship #ProjectManagement #TechnicalEducation #IndustryCollaboration #StrategicPlanning #ProfessionalJourney

Today, I had the opportunity to attend an Open House event organized by Okhai Memon Youth Services in collaboration with TRACE PAKISTAN , offering a 100% scholarship course for students in 𝐃𝐢𝐠𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐤𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐎𝐟𝐟𝐬𝐞𝐭 𝐏𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠.. Unfortunately, despite the incredible opportunity, 𝐥𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐧 20 𝐬𝐭𝐮𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐝. It was disheartening to see the lack of interest, as many young individuals tend to focus solely on academic degrees and overlook the importance of acquiring practical skills. This mindset can limit their opportunities when they enter the workforce, as employers often seek a balance of both education and skill sets. It's important to emphasize that both academic qualifications and skill-based certifications hold significant value. To succeed in today’s competitive environment, students should aim to pursue both simultaneously, ensuring they are well-prepared for future career prospects. Skills are not something to be taken for granted, especially when they come at no cost. A balanced approach can empower individuals to achieve their full potential and secure rewarding careers. #DigitalMarketing #SkillsDevelopment #OffsetPrinting #YouthEmpowerment #BalancedLearning #ScholarshipOpportunities #CareerGrowth #PracticalSkills #EducationMatters #WorkforceReady

The IT Skills Gap in Pakistan 🎓💻 Every year, Pakistan produces 25,000 IT graduates, but only 10% (2,500) are employable due to a lack of practical skills. Why? 🤔 80% of graduates lack the necessary technical skills, leaving them unemployable. Many pursue Master's degrees, often resulting in teaching positions with no real-world IT experience. This perpetuates a cycle of under-skilled IT graduates. #Pakistan #ITGraduates #SkillsGap #Employability #Education #ITJobs #TechIndustry #ProfessionalDevelopment Author: Uzair (Sudhozai) Qaseem Assisted by: Shaheer Raja

hello friends. the NTP recommends that there shall be 3 professional pathways which increases the opportunities for those who want to be promoted. currently we have been looking at on being a deputy head and head of institution. So at undergraduate level all the trainees will take a teacher training course. However, when one goes for a masters course s/he will be required to choose from the 3 career pathways. In the reforms there will an opportunity to have your career growth in Administrative area, teaching area and specialist area. All the three will have career pathway growth or promotion. For instance, there will be no one that will become an administrator unless s/he has undergone the administrative course at masters.

The most controversial question Is a degree necessary? This is a frequently asked question, and the answer can vary depending on the type of person you are. • Yes (for the top half of the class in terms of results) • No (for the bottom half of the class in terms of results) If you have been an excellent student since childhood and have consistently achieved top grades, enrolling in a degree program can be very beneficial for you. It can lead to good job opportunities and help you build a strong future. However, if you are an average or below-average student like me, a degree might not provide the same benefits. In Pakistan, it can be difficult to secure a job without resorting to bribery if your academic performance has not been strong. I was a below-average student, so why did I pursue a degree? Here are two reasons: 1. My family supported me immensely up to college. They provided me with everything I needed, so when they expressed a desire for me to earn a degree, I dedicated those four years to fulfill their wish. And i did it alhamdulillah. 2. Where I am today has little to do with my degree. However, I realize that without attending university, I would have missed out on many experiences. I learned to understand people, recognize different personalities, and navigate government offices. I learned to understand who works for bribes and how to deal with various situations, all because of the struggles I faced in university. So, while a degree might not directly translate to financial success, it can significantly help in life by providing invaluable experiences (in my opinion). The views expressed above are based on my personal experience and opinion and are not intended to hurt anyone. #degree #education #skillvsdegree #contentcreation #contentproduction

I have completed a short term programme in soft skills offered by Career Guidance Unit of South Eastern University of Sri Lanka.

🌟 Exciting News in the Education Sector 🌟 Astute Academy, a renowned career counseling academy under the visionary leadership of Dr. Tushar Vinod Deoras, is dedicated to providing quality and affordable education, considering it a fundamental right for all. Astute Academy guides students toward their career paths, emphasizing the importance of career choices over mere courses. With the recent transformation in the Indian education system post the launch of the National Education Policy, initiatives like multiple entry and exit options, and credit transfers have opened new avenues for students, allowing greater flexibility and opportunities for growth and development. One such success story involves international student Nousat Hosen Prince, who sought counseling from Astute Academy. Through their guidance, Prince's educational journey became more affordable, saving costs and time equivalent to one semester. The introduction of the Academic Bank of Credit has been instrumental in such transformative cases. Astute Academy's pathways to countries like the USA and Germany are setting new benchmarks in the education domain, paving the way for enhanced international collaborations and student exchanges. This development is poised to attract more international students to India, contributing to the country's advancement in the field of education. Join us in celebrating the success stories and initiatives that are reshaping the educational landscape, fostering innovation, and paving the way for a brighter future in education. 🎓✨ Dr. Tushar Vinod Deoras MAMIDALA JAGADESH KUMAR Deepak Chhabra Astute Career Counselling Academy #AstuteAcademy #EducationTransformation #CareerCounseling #NationalEducationPolicy #StudentSuccess #AcademicInnovation #GlobalEducation

Bridging the Skills Gap in Technical Education: The mismatch between the skills job seekers have and those employers need is widening, especially in technical fields. This skills gap can be addressed by aligning technical education with industry demands. Key Strategies: - Industry-Academia Partnerships: Collaborate with businesses to update curricula and create practical training opportunities. - Curriculum Updates: Regularly refresh courses to include new technologies and soft skills. - Lifelong Learning: Promote ongoing education through short courses and certifications. - Government Support: Advocate for policies that support training and modern educational facilities. - Data-Driven Adjustments: Use labor market insights to anticipate industry needs and adapt education programs. Conclusion: Closing the skills gap requires a collective effort from educational institutions, industries, and policymakers. By embracing continuous learning and adapting to technological advancements, we can prepare a workforce ready for the challenges of tomorrow. TEVTA Punjab Punjab Board of Technical Education (PBTE), Lahore National Vocational and Technical Training Commission NAVTTC PVTC Punjab Skills Development Fund (PSDF) - #SkillsGap - #TechnicalEducation - #VocationalTraining - #IndustryTrends - #WorkforceDevelopment - #ContinuousLearning - #EducationReform - #CareerReadiness - #JobMarket - #TechSkills