Hajra Naz
World Youth Skills Day is being celebrated today around the globe, recognizing the important role of technical and vocational training in building strong, inclusive economies. Punjab has joined in with a bold commitment—allocating Rs. 26 billion in its 2025–26 budget for youth skill development and entrepreneurship.
This investment is part of the CM Skilled Punjab initiative. It’s a major step to help young people gain useful skills. The Punjab government is making skills a key part of its economic plan. Training programs are being designed to match real job needs, both in Pakistan and overseas.
All Skills Programs Now Under One Roof
In a major structural reform, Punjab has created the Skills Development and Entrepreneurship Department (SDED)—the first time all skills-focused institutions are brought together under one umbrella. This includes:
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Punjab Skills Development Fund (PSDF)
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Technical Education and Vocational Training Authority (TEVTA)
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Punjab Vocational Training Council (PVTC)
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Punjab Skills Development Authority (PSDA)
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Punjab Board of Technical Education (PBTE)
The goal? Streamline policy, funding, and training to respond more quickly to market needs and global employment trends.
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PSDF Leads the Way
At the heart of this transformation is PSDF, Pakistan’s largest skills fund and the main body delivering the CM Skilled Punjab programs. Over the past 15 years, PSDF has trained over 600,000 people across 250 trades, and nearly 44% of them are women. The focus is on employer-driven training that leads directly to jobs.
Current Flagship Programs
Here are some of the groundbreaking programs currently in motion:
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PSDF | Tabeer
A Rs. 2.7 billion program to place 2,500+ Pakistanis in overseas jobs, offering international employment opportunities. -
PSDF | Mein Digital
A Rs. 1 billion initiative to train 3,000 educated rural women in IT, helping them find digital and remote work. -
PSDF | Pehchan
An Rs. 870 million program supporting 2,250 transgender individuals with skill training and career pathways—a first-of-its-kind effort to include marginalized communities.
A Unified Mission: Jobs, Growth, and Global Impact
Chairperson of the CM Punjab Task Force for Skills Development, Adnan Afzal Chattha, emphasized that Punjab’s youth aren’t just the future—they are a vital asset today. He said.
“With international certifications, world-class training, and overseas job options, we’re helping families build better futures while boosting Pakistan’s economy.”
He said this is the first time in Punjab’s history that all skill-building efforts are under one department. This includes everything from policymaking to job placement. This new setup brings better coordination. It also allows faster execution. Most importantly, it ensures more accountability.
He added.
“It allows us to turn every rupee into real jobs, better incomes, and a workforce that can compete globally,”
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Why This Matters
Across Pakistan, there are over 3,000 technical and vocational training institutes with about 455,000 students enrolled. But with 1.7 million young people entering the workforce every year, current capacity falls far short of what’s needed. That’s why scalable, results-focused programs like those run by PSDF are crucial to closing the gap.
Across Pakistan, there are over 3,000 technical and vocational institutes. About 455,000 students are enrolled in them. But 1.7 million young people enter the workforce each year. The current system can’t meet this demand. That’s why programs like PSDFs are so important. They focus on results and can grow to reach more youth.
