CM Maryam Nawaz’s Skilled Youth Program trains 180,000 across Punjab, sets new record

Under the dynamic leadership of Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz Sharif, the province has achieved a remarkable milestone by training more than 180,000 young men and women under the Skilled Youth Program, marking an unprecedented achievement in technical and vocational education.

The program has not only empowered thousands with employable skills but also created tangible opportunities for local and international employment, making it one of Punjab’s most successful youth development initiatives to date.

During a high-level meeting chaired by the Chief Minister, it was revealed that over 75,000 trained individuals have secured jobs within Pakistan, while 15,000 have been employed by international organizations. The breakdown includes 27,500 graduates from TEVTA, 45,000 from PVTC, and 1,428 from PSDF.

Among the notable achievements, 350 female trainees from the Garment City Project and 450 transgender individuals trained under the ‘Pehchan’ Skill Development Program have successfully entered the workforce. Punjab has also witnessed a 21% increase in technical training compared to the past five years.

Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz directed the relevant authorities to conduct a new industrial survey to align training programs with evolving market needs. She also gave in-principle approval for the launch of the “Maryam Nawaz Free Travel Card” to support skilled youth seeking jobs abroad.

Officials informed the meeting that 24 modern construction labs have been established in cities including Bahawalpur, Multan, Bhakkar, and Mianwali, where 2,450 youth will be trained in advanced construction techniques. So far, 830 trainees have completed their courses, 1,178 are currently enrolled, and 975 will join in the next batch.

Progress was also reported in the Hospitality Training Program, where 96 youth have completed training, 96 are currently under instruction, and 100 more will be trained in the next phase in Rawalpindi, Multan, and Faisalabad.

Under the International Outreach Program, an impressive 112,000 youth have received specialized training to prepare them for global employment markets. The province has also upgraded 2,158 training labs, now serving over 28,000 students across Punjab.

Maryam Nawaz also approved new rules and regulations for the Department of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, including a modernized curriculum and updated training modules. The target for 2025–26 is to train 201,485 youth, with 15,531 already trained locally and 4,230 internationally in the current fiscal year.

Under the ‘Pehchan’ Program, 11,000 transgender individuals have completed skill training, with 470 already employed and 1,300 currently enrolled. Graduates are also being provided with machinery and essential tools to help launch their own businesses.

The Chief Minister was further briefed on the “Main Digital” Program, which has received Rs. 1 billion in funding to train 3,000 rural women in IT skills. The first phase covers Bahawalpur, Sargodha, Gujranwala, Lodhran, and Faisalabad, targeting 2,100 women by April 2026.

Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif said the government’s focus on skill development is reshaping Punjab’s workforce and opening new avenues of opportunity for the province’s youth, women, and marginalized communities — turning vision into tangible progress for Pakistan’s future.