[{"bbox": [85, 153, 324, 186], "category": "Section-header", "text": "2 RATIONALE"}, {"bbox": [85, 219, 235, 247], "category": "Section-header", "text": "2.1 Context"}, {"bbox": [85, 265, 1145, 664], "category": "Text", "text": "Despite important developments in recent years, Pakistan, with a rapidly growing population of almost 229 million (2022) and with a per capita income of USD 1,285 (2019, WB), faces a range of serious interlinked challenges. Nearly 39% (2018, UNDP) of Pakistanis live in multidimensional poverty, with the highest rates of poverty in the provinces of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan. Pakistan is placed fifth on the list of countries most vulnerable to climate change, according to the Global Climate Risk Index 2020. Pakistan is a major country of origin, transit and destination of refugees and migrants. Afghanistan continues to impact Pakistan's socio-economic development, all the more since the Taliban takeover. Women' situation remains a challenge with the country ranked 151 out of 153 countries on the Global Gender Gap Index (GGGI) 2020. The labour force participation rate for women remains dismally low at 24.3%, one of the lowest compared to the South Asia region's average of 38%⁴. Professional and technical workers are 22% females and 78% male, which corresponds to a 0.28 female to male ratio. Amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, Pakistan experienced a real GDP contraction of 0.5% during 2020. In 2021, growth is estimated to have rebounded to 3.9% and is projected to reach 4% in 2022 (Oct.2021, IMF). In parallel, the increasing youth bulge (64% of population below 30 years of age) provides the country with a potential demographic dividend while at the same time representing a challenge in terms of service provision and employment."}, {"bbox": [85, 679, 1145, 1105], "category": "Text", "text": "This Action is in line with the European Consensus on Development, and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, which reaffirms education as a fundamental human right and a public good. It also reflects the enabling role of education in achieving other SDGs. The Council Conclusions on Youth in external Actions (June 2020) also emphasise the need of promoting equitable access to inclusive quality TVET. The EU-Pakistan Strategic Engagement Plan signed on 25 June 2019 specifically mentions TVET/ skills and the MIP Pakistan supports the implementation of Pakistan's long-term development strategy, \"Vision 2025 – One Nation – One Vision\". The action is also in line with global gateway which captures in a value-based proposition the policy objectives and investments in which EU is advancing with Pakistan in the green and digital areas, science technology and innovation, growth and decent jobs and human capital. The EU is a donor of reference in the TVET sector, at the federal and provincial levels, due to continued engagement and dialogue over the last decade. The programme will support implementation of Government's \"Skills for All Strategy\" and further enhance EU role and visibility and potential policy dialogue opportunities with the office of the Prime Minister, in relation to the government flagship programmes, as well as with the National Vocational and Technical Training Commission (NAVTTC). The action will act as one of the building blocks for the TEI, Germany and Italy being also active in the sector and possibilities of collaboration with them being under discussion. The action will also address migration issues by supporting skills training for returnees and refugee communities."}, {"bbox": [85, 1121, 1145, 1255], "category": "Text", "text": "The planned programme builds upon previous EU support to TVET sector implemented between 2011 and 2022. The EU has supported the Government of Pakistan to develop the first ever National TVET policy and the National Vocational Qualifications Framework (NVQF) and its implementation through initiating a Competency Based Training and Assessment (CBT&A) system and Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) system. The Government's \"National Skills for All Strategy\" (2018) builds on the TVET Policy."}, {"bbox": [85, 1270, 1145, 1430], "category": "Text", "text": "The proposed action will support the Government in the implementation of this strategy on the one hand, while also ensuring the curriculum needed for MIP priority one and TEI are being developed and people trained. Additionally, digital skills will be incorporated. Stronger emphasis will be put on standardisation, international recognition and certification and technological advancement through developing and implementing higher level courses and a stronger, forward-looking engagement with the private sector, including on climate smart agriculture and green/circular economy approaches in farming and food processing."}, {"bbox": [85, 1445, 1145, 1553], "category": "Text", "text": "The \"Skills for All Strategy\" has been developed by the Government at the Federal level, with the implementation lying with the provinces. The Action engages with both federal and provincial TVET authorities, aiming to address overlaps and fragmentation. Synergies will be sought with the Government's National Youth Development Programme \"Prime Minister's Youth Program\" and particularly with the \"Prime Minister's Business Loan"}, {"bbox": [85, 1594, 731, 1621], "category": "Footnote", "text": "⁴ Gender Analysis of TVET Sector in Pakistan- Key Issues and Opportunities"}, {"bbox": [1038, 1681, 1145, 1706], "category": "Page-footer", "text": "Page 5 of 28"}]