Islamabad (TDI): British Council, in partnership with People 1st International and the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Economic Zones Development and Management Company (KPEZDMC), delivered an International Skills Partnership for workforce development in Pakistan’s food and beverage sector.
The initiative, part of the Going Global Partnerships program, focuses on closing skills gaps in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Economic Zone (KPEZ).
Following extensive research into employment trends and industry needs, food safety and manufacturing were identified as priority areas for intervention.
To address these, the partnership established the Industry Advisory Taskforce Group (IATG) — bringing together representatives from industry, academia, and training authorities to ensure training aligns with real-world labor market requirements.
Based on the findings, the Highfield Level 3 International Award in Food Safety for Manufacturing was introduced, representing a major step in aligning Pakistan’s training frameworks with international standards.
For the first time, Highfield International trainers travelled to Pakistan to deliver face-to-face Training of Trainers (ToT) sessions for a cohort of 24 master trainers, 12 of whom achieved distinction. These certified trainers will now cascade their learning nationwide, ensuring sustainability and broad impact.
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Two universities — the University of Haripur (KP) and NUTECH (Islamabad) — are now recognized as registered Highfield centers for the delivery of this qualification.
The National Vocational and Technical Training Commission (NAVTTC) is currently reviewing the qualification for national validation and exploring its inclusion within the DAE in Food Processing and Technology.
A proposed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the University of Haripur and North West Regional College (UK) is also under development, paving the way for the creation of a Foodovation-inspired center in Pakistan to further strengthen innovation and capacity in the sector.
James Hampson, Country Director of British Council Pakistan, speaking about the initiative, said “This partnership is a great example of UK and Pakistan collaboration driving change.”
“This work will help young people gain the skills employers need and grow their businesses to international standards. It’s good for individuals, for industry and for the economy,” he added.
“The success of this project in Pakistan highlights how a sectoral approach can enhance employability, align training with international quality standards, and drive sustainable economic growth,” the British Council said.
Sohail Majeed
Sohail Majeed is a Special Correspondent at The Diplomatic Insight. He has twelve plus years of experience in journalism & reporting. He covers International Affairs, Diplomacy, UN, Sports, Climate Change, Economy, Technology, and Health.
