The National Vocational and Technical Training Commission is trying to change that by building a skilled workforce from the ground up. Pakistan’s halal meat and seafood export sector has long been under-exploited. NAVTTC, in collaboration with the Livestock Exporters Association of Pakistan, has launched a series of free practical training programs in fish farming, meat processing, cold chain management, export logistics, and assistant slaughterer. The last intake was in June 2026 across Mardan and Peshawar and is now closed, but the program structure gives a clear preview of what future batches are likely to look like.
For more such programs, you can read our earlier blogs on the topic.
What the program really contains
This isn’t classroom theory. The training is practical, on-the-job training in livestock handling, fish farming, meat processing and export logistics – the kind of skills that lead directly to jobs at slaughterhouses, processing plants, cold storage facilities and export operations. The course is three months long, so participants can gain real competence and not just a superficial overview.
The batch will have the following specific course tracks to choose from: Fish Farming, Meat Processing, Cold Chain Management, Export Logistics and Assistant Slaughterer/Helper. The individual tracks cover different aspects of the supply chain, from raising and catching fish to getting finished, export-ready products through customs and onto international markets.
Eligibility Requirements
The eligibility for this program is pretty open. The YFP differs from many other government youth schemes, which have a rigid published age band that caps eligibility at around 29 or 40. The YFP has no such cap. Instead, there is general youth eligibility, which opens the door wider to people at various career stages. That said, this particular cohort was specific to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, with training centers in Mardan and Peshawar. If you are not from KP, then keep an eye on NAVTTC announcements, as future batches may go to other provinces.
How to Apply, Step by Step
NAVTTC runs its registration through the National Skills Information System portal. Here’s how the process generally works:
- Visit the NSIS portal. Go to nsis.navttc.gov.pk, NAVTTC’s dedicated registration system, rather than just the main navttc.gov.pk homepage.
- Create an account or log in. If you don’t already have an NSIS account, you’ll need to register with your basic personal details before you can apply to any course.
- Select your preferred course track. Choose from the available options, such as Fish Farming, Meat Processing, Cold Chain Management, Export Logistics, or Assistant Slaughterer/Helper, based on which skill set matches your interests.
- Fill in personal and educational details. You’ll need to provide your CNIC or B-form number, along with basic educational background information.
- Upload required documents. This typically includes your CNIC or B-form and any relevant academic certificates.
- Submit your application before the deadline. For the June 2026 batch, the cutoff was June 16, 2026. Deadlines shift with each new intake, so check the current announcement carefully.
- Prepare for an entrance assessment, if required. Some NAVTTC programs include a basic aptitude or eligibility check after registration, so keep an eye on your NSIS account for further instructions.
- Track your application status. You can check your registration status directly through the NSIS portal using your registration number.
What is the Price?
Nope. The program is 100% free for participants. NAVTTC’s vocational training budget funds the program, and the Livestock Exporters Association of Pakistan provides additional industry linkages to connect trained graduates with employers in the sector after they complete the course.
Where The Training Takes Place
The latest batch was trained in training centers in Mardan and Peshawar in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The program is delivered through the NAVTTC network of accredited training institutes, not out of one central location. Exact sites can vary from batch to batch, depending on where partner institutions are located and which province the current intake is targeting.
Why This Program Is Important
Pakistan’s meat and seafood export industry has real growth potential but much of it remains unrealized due to a shortage of workers with the specific skills needed for export-grade processing, cold chain handling and logistics compliance. These programs are designed to address that gap head-on, providing young Pakistanis with a genuine entry into a burgeoning export industry, not just a generic vocational certificate that may not lead to many jobs. Graduates come away with skills they can apply in slaughterhouses, meat processing plants, cold storage operations and export logistics roles; all areas where Pakistan can increase its share of the international market if it builds the workforce to support it.
Where to Find More Information
The official NAVTTC website, navttc.gov.pk, is the best place to check for when the next batch of this program opens. With previous batches opening and closing applications in a matter of weeks, checking the site regularly or the NSIS portal directly is the best way to avoid missing the next intake.
