The Government of Punjab has given in-principle approval for the establishment of the province’s first “Skill City,” aimed at fundamentally restructuring vocational training to meet modern industrial needs. Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif approved the project, which signals a significant policy shift towards equipping youth with market-relevant skills.
According to an official statement issued today, during a high-level meeting, the Chief Minister requested detailed proposals and a comprehensive plan for this significant initiative. The project aims to establish specialized technical education institutions in close collaboration with the industrial sector to ensure graduates are ready for employment.
In this regard, existing skill-based educational institutions across the province will be upgraded to become Centers of Excellence. To elevate educational standards, an agreement has also been reached to affiliate Punjab’s Technical and Vocational Education Board with prominent institutions from Scotland and the United Kingdom.
To directly address market needs, a framework was also presented for introducing technical education at the matriculation level, or “Matric Tech.” The new curriculum will offer courses in diverse fields such as graphic design, media production, fashion design, and data coding, alongside vocational training for industrial electricians, plumbers, professional chefs, and allied health professionals.
To ensure the program’s effectiveness, Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has ordered the recruitment of high-caliber teachers for technical education. She further directed that the curriculum be developed by experts from industrial establishments to ensure its relevance and practical application.
The Chief Minister said, “We will make the youth the real strength of Punjab through technical education.” She added that “we will use all resources to provide technical education to the youth according to market needs,” and expressed the commitment that every youth in the province “be exceptionally skilled and a master of their craft.”