The first meeting of the Punjab Skills Development and Entrepreneurship Department was held under chairmanship of the Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, during which Secretary of the Punjab Skills Development and Entrepreneurship Department, Nadir Chatha, gave a detailed briefing.

The briefing revealed that all skills development institutions have been placed under one department, with TEVTA, PSDF, and PVTC now working under the Punjab Skills Development and Entrepreneurship Department. Under the CM Skilled Punjab Initiative, 4,000 youth have completed international IT certifications.

The briefing also mentioned that a skills development program for transgender individuals, titled "Pehchan," is ongoing, under which 1,600 transgender individuals have completed their training. Transgender individuals receiving training in textiles, makeup, and backstage production are being provided a monthly stipend of 8,000 rupees, it added.

Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz set a target for training and job placement of one lakh skilled youth and asked for a comprehensive plan to send skilled workers abroad. The Chief Minister also directed that business cards and business finance loans be provided to skilled youth on a priority basis.

During the meeting, it was decided to introduce the "Skills on Wheels" project in collaboration with the private sector to provide skills training to youth from remote areas. Approval was also granted for the establishment of plug-and-play call centers in Punjab. In the first phase, 5,000 youth will receive call center training in collaboration with IBEX. After six weeks of training, the youth will be able to secure jobs with a minimum monthly salary of 100,000 rupees.

The proposal for the issuance of skilled cards was also reviewed during the meeting. It was informed that the Garments Training Institute at Quaid-e-Azam Business Park will train 480 women, who will receive pick-and-drop services and a monthly stipend of 20,000 rupees. Female trainees will also be provided job placements in major textile groups.

Highlighting the importance of the training programmes, Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz stated that by supporting skilled youth, the path to prosperity will be achievable, and that skilled youth are both Pakistan s present and future.