LAHORE – Punjab government unveiled skills development and entrepreneurship agenda under its Annual Development Programme (ADP) 2025-26 to equip hundreds of thousands of young people with market-relevant skills and create new employment opportunities across traditional and emerging sectors.
The initiatives includes digital technologies, advanced manufacturing, hospitality, agriculture, entrepreneurship, and overseas employment, reflecting a comprehensive strategy to transform Punjab’s workforce and strengthen the province’s economy.
CM Skilled Punjab Programme has been allocated Rs44 billion and is expected to benefit around 122,000 youth. The programme aims to provide technical and vocational training aligned with industry needs while improving employability and workforce participation. In addition, Chief Minister Skills Development Programme will train 5,000 individuals over a 30-month period through specialized skills development interventions.
The provincial government is also placing emphasis on strengthening technical and vocational education institutions. Through TEVTA and other training bodies, skills mapping exercises will be conducted to align training programmes with domestic and international labor market requirements. New CM Skills Centres and hospitality laboratories are also planned to modernize training infrastructure and improve the quality of vocational education.
Under Advance Technology Program-II, approximately 7,500 youth will receive training in cutting-edge fields including Artificial Intelligence (AI), Data Analytics, Cloud Computing, Cyber Security, and emerging digital technologies. Officials believe these investments will help prepare young people for the rapidly evolving global technology market and improve Punjab’s competitiveness in high-value digital sectors.
Punjab also expanded its investment in Business Process Outsourcing (BPO). Through BPO Program-II, around 10,000 young people will be trained in customer services and business process management. Complementing this initiative is the Chief Minister Youth Employability in BPOs Programme, which aims to train 25,000 youth over a three-year period. With an estimated allocation of Rs13.96 billion, the programme seeks to connect Punjab’s youth with employment opportunities in the international outsourcing market.
Recognizing the increasing importance of innovation and emerging technologies, the government has launched the Frontier Tech Skills and Innovate Punjab Programme. The initiative, with an estimated allocation of Rs112 billion, is expected to train 15,000 participants, develop the capacity of 1,200 trainers, and engage 60 institutions.
Tech Skills Boot Camps and makerspaces will be established across educational campuses to provide students with hands-on experience in innovation, technology development, and entrepreneurship. These facilities are expected to benefit approximately 70,500 young people.
Punjab is also investing in industrial modernization through the establishment of a Centre of Excellence for Advanced Automotive Technologies. With an estimated allocation of Rs99 billion, the centre will train around 400 individuals in advanced automotive technologies and modern manufacturing practices. The initiative is intended to address industry demand for specialized technical skills and support the growth of the automotive sector in the province.
The hospitality sector has also been identified as priority area for workforce development. Under the proposed hospitality training programme, the government plans to establish around 60 hospitality laboratories and expand specialized training facilities. More than 22,000 individuals are expected to benefit from hospitality-related training, helping meet the workforce needs of the tourism, hotel, and services sectors.
To facilitate overseas employment, Punjab has introduced several initiatives aimed at preparing workers for international labor markets. The Parwaaz Card Scheme for International Employment will provide support to individuals seeking jobs abroad, while the broader Skills for Global Needs programme will align training with international employer requirements. In addition, the Language Skills Programme aims to train 30,000 youth in foreign languages and communication skills necessary for overseas employment opportunities.
As part of its broader workforce transformation agenda, the government has introduced the Skilling Punjab for Economic Transformation framework. Under the Skills for Domestic Needs component, carrying an estimated allocation of Rs142 billion, training programmes will be aligned with the European Qualification Framework and supported through the establishment of Centres of Excellence. Meanwhile, the Skills for Global Needs component, with an estimated allocation of Rs51 billion, will focus on producing a workforce capable of competing in international markets.
The government is also seeking to expand economic opportunities for women through the Empowering Rural Women by Way of IT programme. The initiative aims to train 15,000 rural women in digital skills, freelancing, and online income generation. Officials say the programme is designed to enhance women’s participation in the digital economy and create sustainable livelihood opportunities in underserved areas.
Agriculture and environmental sustainability form another key pillar of the strategy. Through the Skills for Agriculture and Green Environment (SAGE) programme, approximately 20,000 youth will receive training in climate-smart agriculture, sustainable farming practices, environmental management, and green economy skills. The programme, with an estimated allocation of Rs89 billion, seeks to prepare a new generation of workers capable of supporting climate resilience and sustainable development.
The government has also launched the Punjab Industry Cluster Academia Linkage (PICAL) initiative to strengthen collaboration between educational institutions and industry. With an estimated allocation of Rs80 billion and a four-year implementation period, the programme is expected to benefit 25,000 youth by ensuring that academic training is better aligned with labor market requirements and industrial demand.
Technical and vocational training will be further expanded through the Punjab Vocational Training Council (PVTC), which is expected to train approximately 60,000 youth across multiple trades and vocational disciplines during 2025-26. Work-based training opportunities, specialized technical courses, and industry partnerships will form an important part of this effort.
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