Punjab has joined hands with the Sir Syed Deaf Association to expand vocational training and employment opportunities for hearing-impaired youth.
The PSDF has established the partnership under its upcoming UMEED (Skills for Inclusion Program) – Maryam Nawaz Hunarmand Naujawan initiative.
This initiative aims to improve access to skills development and employment for persons with disabilities (PWDs) and transgender individuals.
The MoU was signed by PSDF Chief Operating Officer Ali Akbar Bosan and SDA Director Ghazanfar Shah in the presence of PSDF CEO Ahmed Khan and senior officials from both organisations.
Under the agreement, SDA will use its nationwide network to identify and mobilise eligible deaf and hard-of-hearing candidates for PSDF training programmes. It will also provide expertise in sign language, accessible training methods and inclusive curriculum development, including courses focused on artificial intelligence and emerging technologies.
PSDF will engage and finance training providers capable of offering accessible and disability-inclusive courses. It will also ensure that training facilities meet accessibility requirements and provide transportation allowances and other support to help participants attend training.
The PSDF will further facilitate trained graduates’ access to microfinance, social protection initiatives and industry placement opportunities.
“True inclusion begins with designing systems that accommodate everyone from the outset,” said PSDF CEO Ahmed Khan. He stated that the partnership would help create a training and employment pathway that responds to the needs of hearing-impaired youth and enables them to access better opportunities.
SDA Director Ghazanfar Shah said the organisation was committed to ensuring that Pakistan’s deaf community was not excluded from education, employment or civic participation.
He said the collaboration with PSDF would help identify barriers faced by the community and support the development of a more inclusive workforce in Punjab.
Both organisations will jointly monitor key outcomes, including enrolment, training completion, certification and employment placement of persons with disabilities across Punjab.
The collaboration is expected to strengthen the province’s technical and vocational education and training (TVET) ecosystem by providing people from underserved communities with skills, recognised qualifications and improved access to employment opportunities.
