Grant for Skilling 160,000 Youth and Eight High Impact IT Training Centers in Pakistan
Posted 6 days ago
Pakistan’s Ministry of Federal Education and Professional Training (MOFEPT) has meticulously planned and secured approval for the nation’s largest skill development initiative under the Prime Minister’s Youth Skill Development Program (PMYSDP). With a three-year budget of 15 billion PKR, sanctioned by the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC), this program represents a beacon of hope for the country’s young population and a vital step toward aligning Pakistan with the demands of the 21st-century global economy.
The PMYSDP’s target of training 160,000 youth is to impart skills employers seek. By addressing gaps in industrial productivity, IT competence, and conventional trades, the program signals a shift from ad hoc approaches to skill development to a more structured, sustainable strategy.
The program’s comprehensive scope is noteworthy. Its IT-focused initiative, aiming to skill 46,000 individuals in digital technologies, recognizes the world’s rapid digitization and Pakistan’s potential to become a significant player in the global tech arena. Similarly, the emphasis on industrial productivity, with plans to train 64,000 youth in manufacturing and related fields, is a timely response to the need for reviving Pakistan’s stagnating industrial sector.
Including 49,000 participants in conventional skills training covering trades such as carpentry, plumbing, and tailoring acknowledges that economic empowerment often starts at the grassroots. These “blue-collar” professions remain indispensable and form the backbone of a resilient middle class.
Beyond training, the program’s plans to establish eight high-impact IT training centers are a strategic move to institutionalize skill development. By incorporating international certification and skill verification, the program ensures that Pakistani workers can compete globally, enhancing their employability in global markets. This initiative promises to increase foreign remittances, a lifeline for Pakistan’s struggling economy.
The PMYSDP is not merely a youth training initiative but a carefully calibrated intervention to bolster Pakistan’s economy. A skilled workforce can enhance domestic productivity, enabling industries to function optimally and reducing reliance on expensive imports. Furthermore, by equipping youth with globally recognized certifications, Pakistan is a reliable supplier of skilled labor to international markets, particularly in the Gulf states, Europe, and beyond. This program also aligns seamlessly with the broader national vision of fostering a knowledge-based economy. In an age where intellectual capital often surpasses natural resources in importance, such initiatives can set the stage for innovation-led growth.
Prof. Dr. Muhammad Mukhtar, Vice Chancellor of the National Skills University Islamabad, appreciates this initiative and cautiously warns that its sustainability will depend on bridging gaps between skills training and employment. The training providers and government must work closely with public/private sector employers, both domestic and international, to ensure that skilled graduates find meaningful opportunities.
According to the Federal Secretary of the Ministry of Federal Education and Professional Training, Mr. Mohyuddin Ahmad Wani, PMYSDP, reflects a profound understanding of Pakistan’s demographic realities and economic potential. It acknowledges that the country’s greatest resource is its youth, whose energy and ingenuity can drive national progress if channeled effectively. In approving this initiative, Pakistan has taken a bold step toward addressing unemployment, reducing regional inequalities, and fostering a culture of skill excellence, inspiring educators to play a pivotal role in this mission.
