Lifelong learning paradigm and socioeconomic sustainability: towards employment growth of vocational trainers in Pakistan

Purpose - Inspired by the neoclassical economic theory and endogenous growth theories, where former studies suggest that the economic growth of a country can be observed through the combination of three factors. Those three factors include capital, the number of labour forces (human capital) and technology. This research was initiated to study the impact of technical and vocational education and training (TVET) sector on the socioeconomic and employment growth of TVET trainers in Pakistan, which is also supporting the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Design/methodology/approach - In this study, quantitative research methods and survey research design have been used. Data were collected using an adapted survey questionnaire from 520 participants. The participants of this study were TVET trainers from different skill-based organizations. Whereas, the collected data was analysed using SPSS 27.0, and the Spearman correlation was used to analyse the relationship and strength of association between the constructs. Findings - Findings of this study indicate that the skill-based education through the TVET sector has a highly positive impact on TVET trainers' employment, socioeconomic growth of vocational trainers and quality standards of living of the TVET trainers. Whereas, the findings also revealed that this skill-based education has a relatively weak relationship with the traditional content-based education as compared to other targeted variables in the skill development sector which influence the socioeconomic growth of the TVET trainers in Pakistan and similar contexts. Practical implications - This study highlights that the TVET has a significant impact on the socioeconomic growth and development of TVET trainers in the context of Pakistan. From the results, international agencies, economists, politicians and policymakers in Pakistan will get some valuable insights to develop policies accordingly which will promote TVET in the country and make a significant contribution to the socioeconomic growth of TVET trainers in particular and the country in general. Social implications - This study also promotes the economical sustainability and value creation among vocational education trainers in TVET and skill-based organizations to further strengthen their professional development and growth in Pakistan. Originality/value - This is one of the few studies which specifies the impact of the skilled-based education and training sector on the socioeconomic growth and development of TVET trainers in Pakistan, particularly in rural contexts or less privileged areas