Further steps for Pakistan-Finland skills and technical training

Mar 16, 2022

Strong collaboration between Finnish and Pakistani institutions of skills and technical vocational training was taking further steps during a visit of Finnish educational delegation in Karachi and Islamabad in March. Delegation, lead by Mr. Wille Eerola, Hon. Consul General of Pakistan in Finland, with representatives from Turku Vocational Institution (TAI) and Finnish Global Education Solutions (FGES).

This time the special focus was on construction sector skills, where modern and upgraded skills would be the biggest job creator in Pakistan and beyond. “Modern skills in construction sector are key part for employment in Pakistan and Pakistanis heading abroad, furthermore the quickest way to support entrepreneurship in Pakistan”, Mr. Wille Eerola, Hon. Consul General stated during the visit, “Bridging Finnish experience, knowledge and reputation of quality with Pakistani institutions will bring a huge boost for job market in Pakistan”.

Mr. Wille Eerola, Hon. Consul General of Pakistan in Finland and Mr. Khalid Asghar, rector of NUTECH opened the day at NUTECH in Islamabad.

Program in Karachi included meetings and talks also with Hunar Foundation, Iqra University, Sindh Technical Education & Vocational Training Authority (STEVTA), ZVMG Rangoonwala Trust, and also plenty of site visits.

Dr. Mustafa Suhag, Managind Director of Sindh Technical Education and Vocational Training Authority presented the shield of thanks to Mr. Wille Eerola, Hon. Consul General of Pakistan in Finland, for bringing the Finnish delegation to STEVTA.
Finnish delegation at Sindh Technical Education and Vocational Training Authority in Karachi.

Furthermore, in Islamabad the delegation by Prime Minister’s Office, National Vocational and Technical Training Commission (NAVTTC), National University of Technology (NUTECH), and also Construction Technology and Training Institute (CTTI),  Askari Institute of Technology (AIT) Rawat and Applied Technologies Institute of NLC (ATIN) Manddra.

Mr. Mikko Koponen and Mrs. Marleena Tuuri from Turku Vocational Institute (TAI) and Mr. Risto Vahanen, Chairman of Finnish Global Ecucation Solutions at NUTECH campus in Islamabad,

This visit was the first one of the Finnish Vocational Training team after Covid19, and part of the close collaboration started already in 2019, and actively built since then.

There are already several ongoing programs already, and the target is to launch various Finland-Pakistan joint-diploma programs in Pakistan during the year of 2022. These programs will be on hospitality sector, construction sector, beauty sector and manufacturing. “This is just a beginning and we are looking forward to see plenty of joint-programs developed and launch by all counterparts this year”, Mr. Wille Eerola concluded the 1.5 week’s tour in Pakistan.