ISLAMABAD, July 13 (ABC): The Punjab government plans to train around 90,000 students in eight priority economic sectors under the Improving Workforce Readiness in Punjab Project by 2029.
According to official documents available with Wealth Pakistan, the project started in 2023 and will continue until 2029. It aims to bridge the gap between technical education and labour market demand through industry-focused training based on a skills-mapping study.
Training aligned with industry needs
The initiative seeks to replace conventional training with practical, market-oriented programmes that improve students’ employability.
Under the project, the government will upgrade 19 technical and vocational institutes into Centres of Excellence. These include 16 institutes operated by TEVTA and three managed by the Punjab Vocational Training Council (PVTC).
The upgraded institutes will provide specialised training in eight priority sectors: automotive, information and communication technology (ICT), tourism, food processing, textile, construction, healthcare and light engineering.
90,000 students to receive market-based training
A major component of the project is the provision of market-based training to about 90,000 students.
The training programmes will follow the findings of a comprehensive skills-mapping study to ensure graduates develop skills that match current labour market requirements.
The government expects the initiative to improve youth employability while supporting the growth of Punjab’s industrial and services sectors.
Stronger labour market information system
The project also includes the modernisation of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) management systems and Labour Market Information Systems.
The upgraded systems will improve the quality and timeliness of labour market data available to policymakers, training institutions and industry stakeholders.
According to the documents, better labour market information will help identify skills shortages more accurately and support the design of training programmes that reflect industry demand.
Supporting Punjab’s economic growth
Punjab’s economy requires a steady supply of skilled workers in sectors such as ICT, construction, textiles, healthcare, food processing and light engineering.
According to the documents, the workforce readiness project will strengthen the capacity of selected technical institutes while aligning vocational training with market demand. The initiative aims to create a more skilled workforce and support sustainable industrial and economic growth across the province.
