Punjab is launching a new skills training program to empower 100,000 youngsters. Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif is leading this initiative to equip young people with the skills needed for a better future and global job opportunities.
At a recent meeting on Punjab’s skilled manpower export plan, CM Maryam Nawaz Sharif set a target to train 100,000 youth and help them secure job placements. The plan will focus on a wide range of skill areas and offer benefits like easy access to business cards and special loans for trained individuals.
the Skills Program for 1lakh Youth of Pakistan
Call Center Training
- What It Is: A six-week training course designed to teach call center skills.
- Who Benefits: 5,000 youths will participate.
- Outcome: After the course, graduates can earn around Rs100,000 per month through job placements.
Skills on Wheel Project
- What It Is: A mobile training initiative to reach young people in remote areas.
- Partnership: This project is launched in collaboration with private sector partners.
- Goal: Ensure that even those far from urban centers can access quality skills training.
Global Manpower Export Plan
- Plan Details: A comprehensive strategy is being developed to send skilled workers abroad.
- Benefits: Graduates will get priority access to business cards and loans, helping them secure international jobs.
- Related Program: The “Tabeer” job placement program is already assisting skilled youth in finding jobs overseas.
Empowering Women and Marginalized Groups
Training at the Garment Training Institute
- Location: Quaid-i-Azam Business Park.
- Who Benefits: 480 women will receive training.
- Support Provided: Trainees will get pick-and-drop services and a monthly stipend of Rs20,000.
- Employment: Participants will be placed in large textile groups for jobs.
Inclusive Programs for Transgender Individuals
- Training Focus: Skills in textiles, makeup, and backstage production.
- Who Benefits: 1,600 transgender individuals.
- Stipend: Each trainee receives Rs8,000 per month.
- Impact: This initiative helps create more employment opportunities for marginalized groups.
Digital and IT Training Initiatives
IT Certification Expansion
- Current Success: Under the CM Skilled Punjab Initiative, 4,000 youth have already earned international IT certifications.
- Future Goal: The program aims to increase this number to 10,000.
Hospitality Training Program
- Course Duration: A free six-month hospitality training course in collaboration with a British institution.
- Job Placement: Graduates will be placed in hospitality roles.
Rural Women Digital Training Program
- Applications: 27,000 applications have been received.
- Offerings: The program provides free desktop computers along with training in English and IT.
- Objective: Bridge the digital gap for women in rural areas.
Centralized Digital Dashboard
- Launch Date: Mid-April.
- Purpose: To streamline all skill development and entrepreneurship initiatives across Punjab.
Supporting Tourism with Affordable Transport
In a separate decision to support tourism, CM Maryam Nawaz Sharif ordered the rollback of a fare increase for double-decker sightseeing buses. The changes include:
- Fare Reversal: Ticket prices for the Sightseeing Lahore Bus Service have been restored to previous levels.
- Routes Covered: The bus service, operating on three routes, will remain affordable to boost tourism in Lahore.
- Entity Involved: The Tourism Development Corporation of Punjab (TDCP) had earlier raised the fares.
Relevant Topic: Punjab to Invest Rs35 Billion in Agricultural Sector in 2025-2026
Conclusion
Punjab’s ambitious skills training program, led by CM Maryam Nawaz Sharif, is a major step toward empowering the youth with new skills and job opportunities. With a clear focus on diverse training areas—from call center courses to digital skills and hospitality training—the initiative promises to benefit thousands of young people and marginalized groups. The added measures to keep tourism affordable further underline the government’s commitment to inclusive growth and development.
