The treasure of skills

The national skill strategy is aimed at providing a way in which the public and private sectors will implement training for skill development in various ways. This will lead to the shift from supply-led training to demand-driven skills.

People will be trained on skills that are relevant and leave out skills that are outdated or cannot be used in the current world. It will also lead to the change from time-bound curriculum-based training to flexible competency-based training. At the end of the day, people will get skills that will help them grow in their careers and economically.

The implementation process is not complicated if these reforms are put in place. For starters, the introduction of competency-based training will help those currently in school to get the skills that are relevant in the market to thrive. Therefore, they will get training that is crucial and based on current trends rather than what has been taught for years.

The establishment of industry-specific centres of excellence will be geared towards training people in specific career paths and also those professionals who would want to get more skills and upgrade from what they already have. Also, there will be a need to encourage entrepreneurship courses to be compulsory in vocational centres and universities. People need to know that they can still venture into a business instead of just considering getting employed.

To enhance skill development, training should be available to everyone, not just those in urban areas but also those in rural areas. In addition, while providing skills in all geographical areas, the marginalized, disabled, youth, and women need to be considered. All the disadvantaged groups need to be included to ensure everyone has an equal share in the training.

At times, it can be hard to know whether you are passionate about a specific career choice, therefore, there should be the provision of career guidance for those to join a university or any tertiary institution. Additionally, the placement service should ensure students are placed in the right career based on their passion and performance. Thereafter, the right candidates will go to specific jobs they will enjoy doing.

For effective skill development in schools, colleges, and universities, it is essential to focus on quality education. Also, the management of training institutions needs to be reformed to ensure they are more updated about the current changes and be ready to implement them. Proper research should also continue to be undertaken to ensure the right strategies are put in place.

The impact of implementing the national skills strategy is that it will boost employability. It is so worrying that students complete university education and do not get access to employment. However, with the right skill development, students will be equipped with skills that will help them get jobs. They will also get access to remote jobs that they can use to earn a decent living.

With the development of AI and such great systems like ChatGPT, OpenAI sora, Gemini, and other great inventions, the future of technology is bright, and if people are provided with great skills, they will surely thrive in freelancing even in the specific professional courses they undertook, since it is also possible to get tutor jobs online.

The entrepreneurship course is also crucial to ensure people do not just think about getting employed, but also owning their businesses and even employing others. Also, entrepreneurship can help people to be more creative about what they can do and not just think about what they have learned in school. Therefore, all stakeholders need to provide input on what needs to be done to ensure that everyone gets the skills required seamlessly.

For example, in Germany, the main aim of the national skills strategy is to advance digitalization in education to ensure that students are well-equipped. Also, they have set out a great investment to ensure that education reforms are well established. Australia is geared towards lifelong learning regardless of the age of the intended person who wants to gain more knowledge.

Ireland is also visionary to ensure everyone gains the skills required without any kind of discrimination. The skills being given are relevant to the target population to ensure they can help themselves once they gain the knowledge. There is also a need for regular assessment of what is being taught to ensure it is relevant and will help the participants.

India’s government is also vibrant towards providing lifelong education for all without any discrimination. Sixty-five per cent of the people in India are young, and the rate of unemployment is worrying. However, with the right skills, the number of employed, self-employed and entrepreneurs will increase. Singapore’s national skills strategy is also at the forefront with high investment put into skill development. Also, they are geared towards instilling a culture of continual learning to ensure no one is left out.

Saudi Arabia is also geared to covering over 2,000 skills and developing different career paths. This will help enlighten the population and make them more informed. In addition, Greece is also transforming its labour market by optimizing workforce skills. This is also to strengthen the capacity of the population and promote energy-saving activities.

Portugal is promoting adult learning. Education and skills are at the forefront. Luckily, in most countries, they have started free training for the youth.

The overall impact of the national skills strategy should be to ensure the relevance of the education and skills being given, to meet the skills needs, strengthen the relationship and knowledge exchange between employers and employees, ensure the workforce has the required knowledge, business flexibility, and ensure economic social success.

Technology should also be used to provide talent and skills to people. Luckily, some advancements have been made in Pakistan to ensure that the right skills are given to people. If more reforms are put in place, skill development in Pakistan will surely escalate.

The national skills strategy should ensure the provision of the skills to the right people, ensuring professionals also advance based on the current trends. It is obvious that a few years from now, with automation and everything, some jobs might be lost while some new ones will be created.

Therefore, there is a need to change with the current trends to ensure everyone benefits from the skills being given, both the advantaged and the disadvantaged. Also, people need to embrace learning and should never cease learning, since the future will disadvantage those who did not take their time to get the right skills needed.

The writer is the author of ‘Digital Pakistan’. He tweets @imranbatada and can be reached at: imran.batada@gmail.com