Punjab CM Launches Major Youth Employment Program to Train 25,000 Job Seekers

Lahore: Maryam Nawaz has approved a major initiative aimed at tackling unemployment by training 25,000 young people under the CM Youth Employability Program.

The decision was finalized during a meeting of the Punjab Development Working Party, with the program designed to equip youth with digital and technical skills aligned with international standards.

According to officials, the initiative will focus on meeting the growing demand in the IT and Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) sectors. Training will cover areas such as customer support, call center operations, and digital marketing, where significant job opportunities are available.

Over the next five years, 25,000 youth will be trained and linked to employment opportunities. Training centers will be established in major cities including Lahore, Rawalpindi, Faisalabad, Multan, Gujranwala, and Sialkot.

The Punjab Skills Development Fund will oversee implementation and monitoring of the project. The training model will combine classroom learning with simulated work environments to ensure practical experience.

Payments to training providers will be made in three stages based on performance, with all transactions conducted through digital bank-to-bank transfers. Importantly, payments will be tied to verified employment outcomes, ensuring accountability and effectiveness.

The government has decided to fully fund the program, removing the earlier proposal of 30% public contribution. The minimum eligibility criteria will be matriculation, with flexibility based on specific requirements. Employment verification will be conducted through payroll records and third-party validation.

The initiative is being seen as a significant step toward reducing youth unemployment and strengthening Pakistan’s digital workforce.