Emerging smart community concept and microgrid technology - a study of lagging skill development in Pakistan

Abstract

Pakistan is among the emerging economies of South Asia. Despite the current progress and ambitious future goals set by the government, the nation faces many challenges, foremost being poverty and unemployment. Pakistan a nation of 210 million people with 60% of the population under 30 years of age, has a dire need for training its burgeoning young population and provide them the skills needed for their useful and gainful employment. This paper gives a critical analysis of the current technical education status in Pakistan and the upgradations needed for absorbing the emerging technologies and possible avenues for skill development for the nation so that it can welcome and embrace the new technologies and take maximum benefit from the rapidly changing skill requirement scenario. Prioritizing the development of efficient TVET processes in the area of renewable energy and microgrids for establishing new smart off-grid communities and smart economic zones is emphasized.