by Maroosh Atiq
Work-Based Training (WBT) in Pakistani Public-Sector Construction Projects: Bridging Skills Gaps, Boosting Youth Employment, and Reducing Poverty
Pakistan’s public-sector construction projects—from roads, schools, hospitals, and irrigation systems to housing and energy infrastructure—represent a massive investment in national development. Every year, the federal government alone spends over Rs. 500 billion on more than 500 construction related projects, while provincial governments manage equally large portfolios. These projects are not just building infrastructure—they are a powerful opportunity to train youth, enhance employment, and reduce poverty, particularly among diploma and certificate holders in construction-related trades.
Currently, many TVET graduates struggle to secure employment because their institutes often focus on theory rather than practical, hands-on skills. Work-Based Training (WBT) can fill this gap by providing structured on-the-job learning, making youth employable while meeting the workforce needs of public-sector construction projects.
The Problem
Diploma and certificate holders in the trades related to construction sector frequently lack exposure to real construction work, leaving them unprepared for site demands. Employers report that fresh graduates often cannot meet practical standards, slowing projects and increasing rework costs. They also considered to have poor attitude to work, resulting in poor performance at workplace. Eventually, employers tend to avoid them at the time of recruitment.
As a result, youth unemployment remains high, especially in rural areas, even for technically trained graduates. WBT can address this problem directly by equipping graduates with market-ready, hands-on skills that employers actually need.
What is Work-Based Training (WBT)?
Work-Based Training is structured, on-the-job learning, allowing trainees to:
- Learn by doing on actual construction projects.
- Receive mentorship from skilled supervisors, foremen, and engineers.
- Get assessed on work quality, safety, and adherence to project specifications.
- Earn recognized credentials through linkages to TVET/NVQF standards.
- For diploma and certificate holders, WBT is the missing link between classroom theory and employment readiness, ensuring that they can compete successfully in Pakistan’s construction labor market.
Why WBT Matters for Youth Employment and Poverty Alleviation
WBT matters for youth employment and poverty alleviation for a number of reasons:
1. It creates immediate employment opportunities for junior site supervisors, masons, carpenters, plumbers, electricians, safety and quality control assistants, and so on.
2. WBT usually offers stipends or paid apprenticeships, enabling trainees to contribute to household income and reduce poverty in rural areas.
3. Projects often hire locally, meaning youth gain skills while boosting their local economy. Skilled youth may continue working on community projects or start small construction-related businesses.
4. WBT allows trainees to advance into supervisory roles, quality and safety monitoring positions, technical consulting, entrepreneurship in construction trades, etc.
5. WBT-trained graduates can deliver quality work and reduce rework, increasing contractors’ and government agencies’ trust in young workers, provided they are provided opportunities to work and advance their learning.
Policy Support
The Apprenticeship Act 2018 makes it mandatory for all organizations, including public-sector contractors, to offer apprenticeship opportunities equivalent to 5% of their workforce. This law is meant to ensure: consistent training opportunities for youth, integration of WBT into legal and contractual frameworks, recognition of apprentices as part of workforce planning, with proper mentoring and assessment.
How WBT Works in Public-Sector Construction Projects?
Diploma and certificate holders practice trades such as civil, masonry, carpentry, steel fixing, concrete finishing, plumbing, electrical installation, and road surfacing. They receive support from the Apprenticeship Unit in developing their soft and people management skills. At project sites, they receive coaching form experienced staff.
