Vocational Education & Training
Identification of the right skills and competencies as required by the industry and employers stays at the heart of all the various vocational education & training supported by SSDF. The SSDF Training Need Analysis (TNA) is the continuous process that runs throughout the year and it greatly helps in identifying the training and development needs for any subject trade. It also helps the R&D section to propose new training areas and activities.
Working with Industry:
We bridge the gap between the industry and vocational education providers. STEP Institute of Art, Design & Management and Melange Institute & Beauty Lounge, being our sister organisations facilitate in executing and implementing the vocational training courses. Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) are signed with respective industry players and stakeholders for outlining the mutual expectations and then following up on agreed action plans.
One key objective for the formulation of SSDF stresses on developing Industry Liaisons for understanding and responding to the specific requirements of skilled workforce from employers, trade unions, chambers of commerce, industry associations, government agencies including monitoring and awarding & testing bodies, business corporations and individual entrepreneurs with a view to ensuring multiple objectives, including the aim that training meets the skills set demanded by local industry, it remains cost-effective for the trainees and training providers, it leads to instant employment, it yields opportunities for entrepreneurship ideas, and it gears opportunities for further training.
Advocacy for TVET:
We work closely with our training provider, Pro TVET institutes to get the right trainees for all the vocational training courses. The R&D team rigorously works to continue gathering data of potential candidates through focus groups, seminars, door to door surveys in identified geographic locations and vicinities. Social media campaigns and SMS marketing are also popular ways for us to undergo below the level marketing and advocacy plans. Thousands of trainees have been successfully inducted and enrolled as a result of the advocacy campaigns in Central and South Punjab.
- Fashion Design Pattern Drafting & Cutting
- Pattern Drafting & Grading
- Domestic Tailoring
- Dress Design
- Production Techniques
- Fashion & Clothing
- Textile Design
- Computer-Aided Designing (CAD / CAM)
- Graphic Design (Print Media)
- Short Film Making
- Computer Motion Graphics
- 3 D Design
- Interactive Media
- Creative Media Production
- Computer Business Management
- Computer Application
- Auto CAD (Civil Draftsman)
- Beauty Therapy
- Hair Styling
- Jewellery Design
- Design & Craft
- Fine Arts
- Social Media Marketing Specialist
Social Inclusion:
We are proud to be focused and determined to raise the flag of inclusiveness for all the SSDF activities. The three different scholarships being offered at various projects of STEP are also advocated through the platform of SSDF, which aim to serve the marginalized communities, including the minorities (specifically the Christian community living in identified vicinities and suburbs), young people with low financial support available for their career training, and less privileged yet very talented youth of Gilgit-Baltistan region. A lot of these awareness activities are done in collaboration with several reputed organisations and societies that are working to enhance the quality of life of marginalized groups and communities. The Christian Fellowship of Pakistan, for instance, greatly help us in approaching the Christian minority groups, The Aga Khan Foundation and local practitioners support us in accessing the trainees in the Gilgit-Baltistan region. Pakistan Poverty Alleviation Fund (PPAF) has also been our partner to advocate and train women representing low-income groups in Southern Punjab as well as selected areas in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province.
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
RPL is the process in which the individual’s previous learning outside the formal system is recognized as sufficient to meet the necessary standard of current competency/ies and as a result, the individual can be given recognition of those skills and the appropriate certificate can be issued. RPL usually refers to a process that examines evidence of past learning and experience. RPL Allows:
STEP Skills Development Foundation (SSDF) being part of the STEP firmly believes in the strong existence of TVET in Pakistan since we understand we are the second youngest population in the world and the opportunity of supplying the world with a technical workforce could be our major strength and a strategic opportunity for a prosperous country. RPL has opened ways for hundreds and thousands of Pakistanis who are otherwise trained and skilled but lack formal awards and certification. A formal award of recognition is also allowing this trained workforce to avail themselves of opportunities not only in the country but also worldwide. We are proud to be part of the group that’s the first one in Pakistan for offering Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) in Pakistan up to the undergraduate level. We are also working closely with National Vocational & Technical Training Commission (NAVTTC) Pakistan to work for promoting and implementing the RPL activities at the first 2 levels of National Vocational qualification framework in trades including Dress Designing and Beauty Therapy.
Competency-Based Training (CBT):
Competency based training (CBT) is a style of education that focuses on what one can achieve in the workplace after completing a course, or because of the workplace training and experience. Competency-based training, also known as competency-based learning, is the recognised training method for vocational training in the world. It was introduced in the developed world including Australia, New Zealand and Europe in the late 1980s.
The benefits enable trainees to complete a competency-based training course and have the skills, knowledge and right attitude to complete specific workplace activities at an industry standard of performance, in a range of work environments and situations. Competency-based training is ideally not “time-based”. In CBT, as soon as trainees show they have the required competency, they can move on to the next one. This means trainees can complete the training at their own pace. It also allows trainees to complete their study much more quickly than in a time-based learning system.
We have been involved and actively working to support national key stakeholder organisations for designing as well as training contents for CBT based courses.
Being the pioneer in Pakistan to offer CBT in Pakistan, we feel it’s important to train other institutes and individuals in the public and private. We have worked with GIZ as Consultants to train teachers, principals and practitioners throughout the country.