In a meeting chaired by Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif on Wednesday, impressive results of the efforts in the skills and business sector were presented, which include the record training of more than 180,000 youth in just a few months.
The Chief Minister was informed that under the skilled program, more than 75,000 youth have secured employment, with 15,000 finding opportunities with international organizations. The institutions of the Technical Education and Vocational Training Authority (TEVTA) alone have added more than 27,500 skilled workers to the workforce. In addition, 45,000 individuals trained through the Punjab Vocational Training Council and 1,428 from the Punjab Skills Development Fund have also received employment opportunities.
In a notable development, 350 female students trained from Garment City under the Chief Minister’s initiative have successfully joined the workforce. Furthermore, the Pehchaan Skill Program for transgenders has provided job opportunities for 450 individuals, a significant step towards inclusivity.
The meeting also highlighted a 21% increase in technical training in Punjab over the past five years. As part of the ongoing commitment to industrial development, a new industrial survey was announced, in line with the Chief Minister’s vision. Furthermore, the introduction of the Maryam Nawaz Free Travel Card will facilitate mobility for skilled youth.
Innovative projects like the establishment of 24 construction labs are a first for Punjab, modernizing the construction sector. The construction lab project has already completed training for 830 youth, with 1,178 in the process of training and a new batch of 975 participants enrolled. The program plans to provide modern construction training to 2,450 individuals in cities like Bahawalpur, Multan, Bhakkar, and Mianwali.
The hospitality training program is also progressing, with 96 trained and another 196 in various stages of training. In the upcoming phases, this initiative will be expanded to Rawalpindi, Multan, and Faisalabad. The Garment City project continues its success, with 510 trained and 350 employed, while ongoing and upcoming training sessions promise to boost employment further.
Additionally, the upgradation of 2,158 training labs across Punjab is benefiting 28,140 students. The International Outreach Program has set an ambitious goal to train 112,000 youth, which will further enhance global employment opportunities. The formulation of new rules and regulations and curriculum development in the skills and business sector indicates a robust framework that ensures continuous progress and innovation in skills training and job creation.