Transforming workforce development through public-private partnerships in Pakistan

Industry Advisory Task Group (IATG) initiative Pakistan

Transforming workforce development through public-private partnerships in Pakistan

The Industry Advisory Task Group (IATG) initiative, funded by the British Council’s International Skills Partnership project and led by People 1st International in collaboration with the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Economic Zone Development and Management Company (KPEZDMC), demonstrates the transformative potential of public-private partnerships.

Focused on the food and beverage sector in Pakistan, the initiative established a collaborative industry-led framework for addressing skills gaps, enhancing workforce development and aligning training programmes with industry needs.

Background

The food and beverage sector in Pakistan faces significant skills shortages that limit productivity and competitiveness. Despite existing government initiatives, gaps persist between academic knowledge and the practical skills demanded by employers. The objective for this project was twofold:

To build a structured framework for collaboration between industry, education and government.
To align training programmes with local and international standards, ensuring workforce readiness for evolving
industry demands such as food safety, hygiene and sustainable practices.

This presented an opportunity to establish a demand-led, sustainable training ecosystem that could enhance sector performance and set a precedent for other industries.

Our solutions

The initiative tackled the challenge through a multi-phased approach:

Building stakeholder relationships

Regular consultations and meetings involving KPEZDMC, higher education institutions, TVET providers, government agencies and employers ensured active engagement.
Alignment with government skills initiatives, such as those by NAVTTC and TEVTA, provided a cohesive framework.

Workshops to align vision

An introductory workshop in November 2023 established the IATG’s vision and mission, defined roles and drafted Terms of Reference (ToRs) for collaboration.

International knowledge exchange

A delegation visit to the UK in February 2024 facilitated learning from successful public-private partnership models, such as the National Skills Academy for Food and Drink and Birmingham MET College.

Actionable insights through research

A comprehensive skills survey conducted in mid-2024 identified critical skills gaps in areas including food safety and hygiene.

Dissemination and knowledge sharing

Findings were shared during a high-impact event in September 2024, which catalysed action-oriented discussions and laid the groundwork for future training initiatives.

Outcomes & impact

The IATG initiative delivered measurable and sustainable outcomes:

Enhanced collaboration: Strengthened relationships among industry, education and government stakeholders, fostering a unified approach to skills development.
Critical insights: The skills survey provided invaluable labour market intelligence, guiding the development of industry-aligned training programmes.
Focus on sustainability: The integration of sustainable practices and innovation into training curriculum positions the sector for future growth.

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Future plan

Introduction of food safety and hygiene training aligned with global standards.
Launch of targeted upskilling programmes, including System Analysis Programme Development (SAP/ERP) courses.
Establishment of a technical skills academy.

The project’s success has set the stage for expanded public-private partnership models, addressing workforce development needs across other sectors in Pakistan.

The IATG initiative demonstrates the transformative power of public-private partnerships in aligning education, industry and government efforts. By nurturing collaboration and delivering actionable solutions, the project has not only addressed immediate skills shortages but also established a framework for sustainable growth and competitiveness.

This model serves as a blueprint for workforce development across industries in Pakistan and beyond, demonstrating that effective partnerships are essential for building resilient and future-ready economies.