LAHORE: The Punjab Skills Development Fund (PSDF) and the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ) signed a contract for establishing, enhancing, and modifying On-The-Job-Training Centres (OJTCs) to create equitable employment and working conditions in the textile and fashion industry.
The project aims at addressing challenges experienced by women and persons with disabilities (PWD), mainly in Punjab.
This collaboration strives to create and transform income and employment opportunities for women and marginalized groups. The two-year collaboration accounts for Rs88 million investment, with an increased focus on technical and soft skills. The key training districts are Lahore, Faisalabad, Sialkot, Multan, and Karachi.
The initiative will establish 13 industry-based OJTCs and two specialized centres for PWDs, training 4,000 trainees in total, and equipping them with the skills necessary to prosper in the competitive textile and fashion sector, including leather goods, footwear, sports goods, and gloves manufacturing.
Muhammad Ubaid, Head of Project at GIZ, stated: “We are eager to establish OJTCs for the first time in the country to empower women and create meaningful job opportunities for the growth of Pakistan’s economy.”
Ahmed Khan, CEO of PSDF stated “This collaboration represents a significant step towards creating inclusive and equitable employment opportunities for women and persons with disabilities. By focusing on both technical and soft skills, we aim to empower women and marginalized communities to drive economic growth and inclusion.”
