The Overseas Employment Corporation (OEC) and the International Centre for Migration Policy Development (ICMPD), under the auspices of the Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development (MOPHRD), on Wednesday reaffirmed their commitment to equipping potential and outgoing migrants with essential soft skills.

This collaborative effort aims to enhance the reputation of Pakistan as a provider of a highly skilled and adaptable workforce and ensure Pakistani migrants thrive in global labour markets.

The event, organised to commemorate the International Migrants Day 2024 under the theme ‘Empowering Migrants with Essential Soft Skills for Sustainable Integration and Mobility’, was held here at a local hotel in Islamabad.

The day serves as a global platform to celebrate migrants, advocate for their rights, and highlight regular migration pathways as a game changer for migrants, their families, and host communities.

The event underscored the critical importance of soft skills – interpersonal and professional competencies that foster resilient lives and sustainable integration.

The newly launched Soft Skills Training Module addresses key areas, including Effective Communication; Cultural Adaptability; Emotional Intelligence; Teamwork; and Leadership Skills.

Federal Minister for Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development, Chaudhry Salik Hussain, graced the event as the Chief Guest. He congratulated all stakeholders for the successful launch.

He emphasized that soft skills training will now become a mandatory requirement for emigrants facilitated by the OEC and Bureau of Emigration and Overseas Employment (BE and OE).

He said we are launching a pilot project with 1,000 emigrants, identified and supported by the Pakistan Overseas Employment Promoters Association (POEPA) in collaboration with BE and OE and OEC.

This initiative will initially be implemented at the ICMPD-supported Migrant Resource Centre (MRC) training facilities in Islamabad, Lahore, and Peshawar.

He noted the importance of customizing the module to address the specific needs of destination countries, particularly in regions like the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and Far East, where the majority of Pakistani workers are employed.

The Minister highlighted that the web-based training module, developed with ICMPD’s support, represents a significant milestone in advancing digital workforce development.

By eliminating geographical and time constraints, this online platform ensures greater accessibility and inclusivity, paving the way for a more skilled and globally competitive Pakistani workforce, the Minister said, adding that these skills are not just desirable- they are essential.