10 Nov
Press Release

Punjab Skills Development Fund and Generation launch partnership to bring successful global demand-driven employment program to Pakistan

The new effort will connect unemployed and underemployed
young adults with training and jobs starting later this year

Feb 2018 (Washington DC, USA): Punjab Skills Development Fund (PSDF) and Generation have joined forces to address the challenges facing young people who are seeking to connect with the job market. Together, the two leading organizations will bring a proven, innovative model—the Generation program—to Pakistan.

The partnership would launch a joint program in Lahore, expanding to additional locations in the future, to reach 2,500 young adults with the Generation program during the pilot phase. The organizations are currently evaluating the sectors and professions to target, including garments industry, healthcare, financial services, customer service, and digital jobs. The new program will seek to partner with local and national employers in the target sectors to identify job vacancies and deliver great talent.

“PSDF has developed a strong reputation for delivering skills programs guided by evidence on what works. We are now partnering with Generation, a world-renowned nonprofit, to incorporate proven international experience into our training programs to raise the productivity of firms across Punjab,” said Dr. Ijaz Nabi, Chairman PSDF.

“Generation is successfully delivering skilled graduates for employers in countries across four continents. PSDF is delivering innovative solutions to maximize income generation results for its graduates. It is this shared purpose and mindset of our two organizations that brings us together. PSDF brings Generation to Pakistan. This partnership will ensure that PSDF-funded programs and its graduates benefit from the globally proven methodology and tools used by Generation around the world,” said Jawad Khan, CEO PSDF

From left to right: Dr. Mona Mourshed, President and CEO of Generation, Dr. Ijaz Nabi, Chairman PSDF and Mr. Jawad Khan, CEO PSDF at the contract signing ceremony.

“This is an exciting start to the year for Generation, expanding from our original five countries into new geographies,” said Mona Mourshed, President and CEO of Generation. “We’re honored to be working with an organization as respected and innovative as PSDF to bring Generation’s proven approach to Pakistan for the first time.”

Generation is a demand-driven employment program that recruits, trains, and places young people in jobs. Working closely with employers, Generation has established programs across 20 professions and four sectors. The participants of the new program in Pakistan will join more than 17,000 existing graduates across five countries—India, Kenya, Mexico, Spain and the United States. Of those graduates, 83% of them have jobs within three months of graduation and more than 70% remain employed a year later. On average, graduates make two to six times the income after Generation than they did before, and collectively Generation’s graduates have earned more than US$55 million in salaries.

Participants in the Generation program complete an intensive 4 to 12-week “bootcamp-style” training that integrates technical skills along with behavioral and mindset skills, helping students overcome both workplace and personal challenges. After successfully completing the program, students are guaranteed job interviews with employer partners. Employers see a return on their investment, with 98% percent of hiring employers say that they would hire a Generation graduate again and 88% saying that Generation graduates outperform their peers.

The new program in Lahore will launch officially in the second quarter of the year. For now, interested partners or employers can learn more by contacting info@generation.org.

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About PSDF:

Punjab Skills Development Fund (PSDF) is a section 42 not-for-profit company established in 2010 under the Companies Ordinance 1984 by the Government of the Punjab in partnership with the UK’s Department for International Development (DFID, UK). The World Bank is also providing funds to the Punjab Government for the trainings to be funded by PSDF. PSDF aims to provide quality skills and vocational training opportunities to the poor and vulnerable populations of all the 36 districts of Punjab in order to improve livelihood prospects for them. Since its establishment in 2011, PSDF has trained 250,000 youth in over 200 trades and it works with over 250 private & public sector training providers. Over the next 5 years, it will be training over 400,000 youth across Punjab that will be employed in Pakistan and abroad.

Communications Team
Punjab Skills Development Fund (PSDF)
Contact: +92-42-35752408-10
E-mail: communications@psdf.org.pk

About Generation:

Today, more than 75 million young adults are out of work globally, and three times as many are underemployed. At the same time, 40 percent of employers say a skills shortage is leaving them with entry-level vacancies. Generation is a youth employment nonprofit with a dual mission to empower young people to build thriving, sustainable careers and to provide employers the highly skilled, motivated talent they need. The first active programs have been in India, Kenya, Mexico, Spain, and the US, and Generation is launching in the United Kingdom, Hong Kong, and Pakistan to start 2018. The organization was founded by McKinsey & Company in 2014.

Communications Team
E-mail: media@generation.org

10 Nov
Press Release

Punjab Skills Development Fund (PSDF) launches Skills Activation Campaign in Punjab

Lahore, November 21, 2017: To introduce the youth of Punjab to technical & vocational skills education and opportunities, Punjab Skills Development Fund (PSDF) has successfully launched phase one of a Skills Activation Campaign (pilot-run) in collaboration with the School Education Department (SED), with focus on the Higher Secondary Schools.

The launch ceremony for the campaign was held at Government Girls Higher Secondary School (GGHSS) Allama Iqbal Town (Umar Block), Lahore. The Minister for Education, Mr. Rana Mashhood Ahmed Khan inaugurated the campaign as the Chief Guest, with a ribbon-cutting ceremony.

While addressing at the ceremony, Mr. Rana Mashhood said, “Successful nations pay great attention and importance to technical & vocational skills education. The Chief Minister of Punjab, Mian Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif is also passionate about creating opportunities for our youth to attain quality education as well as technical & vocational skills. I congratulate PSDF for taking the Chief Minister’s vision and mission forward.”

During the pilot phase, this campaign will be launched in five districts of Punjab; including Lahore, Gujranwala, Sargodha, Rawalpindi, and Multan, and will cover 50 higher secondary schools. The objective of the campaign is to introduce the benefits of technical & vocational training and linkages to promising formal and self-employment opportunities at the right time. This campaign for Skills Activation is the first step towards sensitising our youth about the benefits of vocational training.

While sharing his thoughts with the students, Mr. Jawad Khan, CEO PSDF said: “PSDF will not just provide you with training opportunities, we also promise to help you secure suitable employment or self-employment opportunities. PSDF is here to facilitate you on this journey but the onus is on you now to choose the best path for yourself, because your skill is your power.”

By conducting the same activity in 50 schools across the selected districts of Punjab, PSDF hopes to motivate more students to sign up for technical & vocational education and pursue sustainable income generation opportunities.
Through this collaboration, SED and PSDF also hope to contribute to the skills development sector by developing a vocational curriculum and Training Learning Resources (TLRs), introducing soft skills modules and Teachers Training, and sponsor results-oriented research to improve TVET outcomes in schools.

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About PSDF:
Punjab Skills Development Fund (PSDF) is a section 42 not-for- profit company established in 2010 under the Companies Ordinance 1984 by the Government of the Punjab in partnership with the UK’s Department for International Development (DFID, UK). The World Bank is also providing funds to the Punjab Government for the trainings to be funded by PSDF. PSDF aims to provide quality skills and vocational training opportunities to the poor and vulnerable populations of all the 36 districts of Punjab in order to improve livelihood prospects for them. Since its establishment in 2011, PSDF has trained more than 227,000 youth in over 200 trades by engaging 250+ private & public sector training providers. Over the next 5 years, we are on a mission to train over 400,000 youth across Punjab that will be employed in Pakistan and abroad.

Communications Team
Punjab Skills Development Fund (PSDF)
Contact: +92-42-35752408-10
E-mail: communications@psdf.org.pk

10 Nov
Press Release

Empowering Lives: PSDF launches its first dedicated Program for Urban Females

September, 2017 (Lahore): Continuing with its effort to introduce customised programs to boost employment opportunities for women, Punjab Skills Development Fund (PSDF) recently launched its first dedicated Program for women residing in urban areas across selected districts of Punjab.

To kick-off the Program activities, PSDF hosted a contract signing ceremony on Wednesday, September 06, 2017; to formalize its relationship with the twenty-two qualifying Training Service Providers (TSPs). The Program is titled, “Women Focused Employment Driven Training”.

In the Picture: CEO PSDF, Mr. Jawad Khan and Minister for Industries, Commerce & Investment, Mr. Sheikh Alauddin, with the qualifying training service providers and PSDF team.

The Minister for Industries, Commerce & Investment, Mr. Sheikh Alauddin who was present at the ceremony as Chief Guest, said: “I feel proud to chair this ceremony because PSDF has taken an initiative to not just train our poor and vulnerable sisters and daughters in technical and vocational skills but also link them with sustainable employment opportunities. A lot of programs designed for women in urban areas stop at training only without formalizing the employment outcomes.”

While addressing the TSPs, he further added: “I want to congratulate all the participating training providers who have made a commitment to employ the successful trainees under this Program. The TSPs must not consider this as a training contract but take pride in the fact that you are making a direct contribution to the national cause.”

The specific objective of the program is to train women in skills for different sectors of the economy (including Service, Education, Textile, Health, Hospitality, Information & Communication, Leather and Sports) for increasing their access to jobs and enhancing income earning opportunities. Total enrolment target of women under the scheme for a year is over 10,000. Women of age 18 years & above and belonging to any district of Punjab will be able to participate in this program. Trainees will be provided with a monthly stipend of Rs.1500 along with uniforms & bags. Classes under the program will commence from October 2017 and continue till September 2018.
While speaking at the occasion, CEO PSDF, Mr. Jawad Khan said: “PSDF continuously pushes for high quality trainings and rewards quality training providers with a competitive return on investment. With the launch of this program, we hope to position PSDF as financier of quality employment driven training programs, with special focus on engaging more women and mainstreaming them into sustainable employment opportunities.”

About PSDF:
Punjab Skills Development Fund (PSDF) is a section 42 not-for-profit company established in 2010 under the Companies Ordinance 1984 by the Government of the Punjab in partnership with the UK’s Department for International Development (DFID, UK). The World Bank is also providing funds to the Punjab Government for the trainings to be funded by PSDF. PSDF aims to provide quality skills and vocational training opportunities to the poor and vulnerable populations of all the 36 districts of Punjab in order to improve livelihood prospects for them. Since its establishment in 2011, PSDF has trained 200,000 youth in over 200 trades and it works with over 250 private & public sector training providers. Over the next 5 years, we will be training over 400,000 youth across Punjab that will be employed in Pakistan and abroad.

Communications Team
Punjab Skills Development Fund (PSDF)
Contact: +92-42-35752408-10
E-mail: communications@psdf.org.pk

23 Oct
Press Release

Punjab Skills Development Fund (PSDF) and Uber signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU)

Skills on Wheels: PSDF and Uber to work on self-employment opportunities in Transport Sector

Lahore: Under the direction of the Chief Minister of the Punjab, Mian Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif; Punjab Skills Development Fund (PSDF) has taken concrete steps to create income generating opportunities for the unemployed youth of Punjab. PSDF and Uber signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), and announced to work together towards enhancing economic opportunities in the transport sector of Punjab.

L-R: Mr. Faisal Fareed – Board Member, PSDF & Managing Director, Maxim International; Mr. Safee Shah – General Manager, Uber Pakistan; Mr. Rana Mashood Ahmad Khan – Minister for Education; Mr. Pierre Dimitri Gore-Coty - Head of Uber Operations Europe, Middle East and Africa; Mr. Jawad Khan – Chief Executive Officer, PSDF; Mr. Anthony Le Roux - General Manager Uber, Middle East & Africa; Mr. Ghassan Haddad - Head of Uber, Public Policy Middle East, Turkey and Pakistan.

L-R: Mr. Faisal Fareed – Board Member, PSDF & Managing Director, Maxim International; Mr. Safee Shah – General Manager, Uber Pakistan; Mr. Rana Mashood Ahmad Khan – Minister for Education; Mr. Pierre Dimitri Gore-Coty – Head of Uber Operations Europe, Middle East and Africa; Mr. Jawad Khan – Chief Executive Officer, PSDF; Mr. Anthony Le Roux – General Manager Uber, Middle East & Africa; Mr. Ghassan Haddad – Head of Uber, Public Policy Middle East, Turkey and Pakistan.

The Minister for Education, Mr. Rana Mashhood Ahmad Khan, who was present at the ceremony said: “I congratulate PSDF and Uber on this occasion and sincerely hope that this partnership will reap great benefits for the youth of Punjab; as the creation of self-employment opportunities are very close to the Chief Minister’s heart.”

Through this collaboration, young job seekers as well as those generating low income will be provided with the necessary skills so that they can benefit from the opportunities that Uber offers in Pakistan.

By running a mass mobilization campaign within Punjab, a trainee pool will be developed and trained in line with a curriculum approved by Uber. These trainings, supported by PSDF, will be designed to help candidates in developing their technical, operational and entrepreneurial expertise, as well as skills that are necessary to ensure the safety and security of Uber’s riders. Once trained, these candidates will then be introduced to and integrated with Uber’s technology system. Talks are also underway to engage the identified trainee pool for selected opportunities overseas.

Along with this, both parties also intend to undertake a survey in Punjab to determine the role that new technologies in the shared economy can play in supporting large-scale economic opportunity generation in the transport sector.

Upon signing this agreement with Uber, Mr. Jawad Khan, CEO PSDF said, “I am delighted with this latest development and hope that the results will bring us one step closer to achieving the goal that PSDF strives for. Creating income generating opportunities with technology companies is a key priority for PSDF so that we can empower the youth by providing them with carefully designed training opportunities, and creating linkages between them and potential employers.”

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Pierre-Dimitri Gore-Coty, Head of EMEA Uber said, “We are really excited about the kind of momentum we are building across Pakistan especially in partnership with departments affiliated with the Government, such as PSDF, who are working tirelessly towards disseminating and enhancing essential technical skills amongst the youth of Punjab. With the signing of this MOU Uber aims to utilize the huge talent pool being generated by PSDF, build on Uber’s pool of partners/drivers to provide more safe, reliable and affordable transport to our riders. We believe that by working closely with Mr. Jawad Khan and his team Uber will be able to generate greater economic opportunities in the province and encourage entrepreneurship amongst the youth.”

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23 Oct
Press Release

Punjab Skills Development Fund (PSDF) Remits Workforce to the Gulf

Lahore: Under the direction of the Chief Minister of the Punjab, Mian Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif; Punjab Skills Development Fund (PSDF) has taken concrete steps to create employment opportunities in the Gulf for skilled workforce of Punjab. PSDF and Rotana have signed a landmark agreement to employ skilled workforce in their hotels & resorts that has been trained under the PSDF banner.

L-R: Mr. Jawad Khan, CEO PSDF and Mr. Omer Kaddouri, President & CEO Rotana.

L-R: Mr. Jawad Khan, CEO PSDF and Mr. Omer Kaddouri, President & CEO Rotana.

With properties operational across the Middle East, Africa and Turkey, Rotana is counted amongst the leading hotel management companies, offering five and four-star products. Earlier this year, PSDF inked an agreement with Rotana with an understanding to provide skilled individuals from the hospitality sector in the trades of Housekeeping, Waiters/Waitresses and Commis – Chefs at various Rotana hotels & resorts. The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between Mr. Jawad Khan, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) PSDF and Mr. Omer Kaddouri, President & Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Rotana.

By employing a rigorous selection process, PSDF shortlisted a pool of the finest candidates from various districts of Punjab. This joint collaboration between PSDF and Rotana is expected to benefit 75+ candidates in the first phase of training and employment.

On this remarkable achievement, Mr. Jawad Khan, CEO PSDF said, “Our partnership with Rotana is a testament to the high quality of training on international standards that PSDF is providing to the youth in Punjab. Rotana is one of the leading hospitality brands in the Middle East, Africa and Turkey and would hire only the best. Choosing PSDF as a partner for their hiring needs in Pakistan is a vote of confidence for us at PSDF as we continue to create more employment opportunities for our youth in the Gulf.”

Commenting on this collaboration, Mr. Omer Kaddouri, President &CEO Rotana said, “With our aggressive expansion plan, we are always on the search for talent and our agreement with a highly reputable company such as PSDF will certainly assist us to attract the right calibre for our hotels & resorts”.

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About PSDF:
Punjab Skills Development Fund (PSDF) is a section 42 not-for-profit company established in 2010 under the Companies Ordinance 1984 by the Government of the Punjab in partnership with the UK’s Department for International Development (DFID, UK). The World Bank is also providing funds to the Punjab Government for the trainings to be funded by PSDF. PSDF aims to provide quality skills and vocational training opportunities to the poor and vulnerable populations of all the 36 districts of Punjab in order to improve livelihood prospects for them. Since its establishment in 2011, PSDF has trained 150,000 youth in over 200 trades and it works with over 250 private and public sector training providers. Over the next 5 years, we will be training over 400,000 youth across Punjab that will be employed in Pakistan and abroad.
Web: psdf.org.pk/oldwebsite

About Rotana:
Rotana currently manages a portfolio of over 100 properties throughout the Middle East, Africa and Turkey with an aggressive expansion plan in place. Rotana has chosen to acknowledge how precious time is by making all time spent in their range of hotels ‘Treasured Time’. This means Rotana has pledged to understand and meet the individual needs of all guests. In so doing, Rotana has evolved its product brands to include, Rotana Hotels & Resorts, Centro Hotels by Rotana, Rayhaan Hotels & Resorts by Rotana, Arjaan Hotel Apartments by Rotana and The Residences by Rotana. Treasured Time. The Rotana promise to you.
Further information on any Rotana property, its brands or reservations can be obtained by visiting rotana.com or by contacting one of the regional sales offices.

For Media Queries:
Communications Team, Punjab Skills Development Fund (PSDF) Contact: +92-42-35752408-10

23 Oct
Press Release

Contract Signing with Metro Cash & Carry International Holding BV

LAHORE: A contract signing ceremony between Punjab Skills Development Fund and Metro Cash & Carry International Holding BV took place at the PSDF Lahore Office. The Chief Executive Officer (PSDF) Mr. Jawad Khan signed the contract with the Managing Director Metro Cash & Carry Mr. Marek Minkiewics for imparting agricultural skills training under the scheme of “Big Push for Rural Economy – Agriculture Sector”. Director Metro Cash & Carry Mr. Pervaiz Akhtar, Head of Legal & Company Secretary Metro Cash & Carry Mr. Asad Malik, Chief Operating Officer Star Farm Pakistan, Member of Metro Group Mr. Muhammad Zeshan Saqib, Manager Marketing Star Farm Pakistan, Member of Metro Group Mr. Hasnain Hyder, Chief Operating Officer PSDF Mr. Ali Akbar Bosan and Manager Program Development PSDF Mr. Aftab Ahmad were also present at the occasion. Under the contract Metro Cash & Carry International will provide agricultural skills training to over 10,000 men and 2,000 women of 4 districts of Southern Punjab i.e. Bahawlapur, Bahawalnagar, Lodhran and Muzaffargarh. Both General and Specialized agricultural skills training will be imparted to the active agriculturists who aspire to achieve production complementarities in cotton, wheat & vegetables. With the General agricultural training there will be an expected increase of 10% – 15% in the production of cotton and wheat accompanied with the average increase of Rs.10,000 – Rs. 23,000 in household income. Moreover, under the Specialized agricultural training there will be an expected increase of 12% -17% in the earnings of the project beneficiaries as well. The trainings will enhance and cover the entire value chain across the agriculture sector. Since, agriculture sector accounts for 25.3% of the country’s total GDP with gradual declines experienced in the past as well, which is why this sector needs consistent consideration for such agricultural skills practices to be implemented in order to achieve the economies of scale with supplemented productions per acre. Majority of the country’s population is either directly or indirectly dependent upon agriculture sector which is the largest source of foreign exchange earnings as well. Therefore, the training imparted under the contract will not only help the farmers with supplemented productions and revenues but will also be equally beneficial to boost the country’s overall economy.

23 Oct
Press Release

Certificate Distribution Ceremony of PSDF-funded trainees held at National College of Arts

LAHORE: The National College of Arts (NCA) organized a certificate distribution ceremony for trainees, funded by Punjab Skills Development Fund, at the Shakir Ali Auditorium, National College of Arts here. The chief guest of the ceremony was Minister for Labor & Human Resource, Government of the Punjab, Raja Ashfaq Sarwar. A total of 112 trainees belonging from various districts of the Punjab received their certificates. These trainees have been trained in six different employable trades by NCA.

These trainings were funded by Punjab Skills Development Fund under its scheme, Skills for Employability. CEO PSDF Mr. Ali Sarfraz & Principal NCA Prof. Dr. Murtaza Jafri were also present at the occasion. These trainings were imparted in six courses – Ceramics Product Design, Furniture Design, Non Linear Editing Level-II, Photography, Prototype Development, Wood Work.

“It gives me immense pleasure to be among the students who have been trained by the National College of Arts and learnt new skills,” Raja Ashfaq Sarwar said while addressing the successful students. He expressed his gratitude over the efforts by the Principal NCA for this initiative and said that he is delightful to see that the National College of Arts has taken a positive step by supporting Government of the Punjab’s efforts for promotion of vocational & technical skills in the province. He also appreciated PSDF’s efforts for providing funding to eligible trainees so that they can learn new skills that would enable them to augment their job prospects. He said that he is very optimistic that the successful students would be able to earn livelihood for their families after joining job market.

CEO PSDF Ali Sarfraz congratulated the NCA management for being a training service provider for the PSDF scheme. He was of the opinion that national institutes such as NCA cay play an important role in promoting vocational education among people.  “I would like to stress over the point that the students should make genuine efforts to secure jobs in the job market so that they are able to play their role in the Punjab’s economy,” said Ali Sarfraz.

In the perseverance to further effectuate its efforts for skills development, Punjab Skills Development Fund (PSDF) launched the scheme, Skills for Employability, for residents of the 14 districts of the Punjab. For the scheme, contracts were awarded to 75 training service providers for training of 14,415 candidates. These contracts were awarded to a multitude of training service providers from both public and private sector to deliver quality training services.

The scheme is a sequel of the Fund’s earlier scheme, Skills for Employability, which was launched in 2011. In the preceding round, more than 15,000 completed their trainings in numerous vocational trades.

Punjab Skills development Fund (PSDF) is a section 42 company, established by the Government of the Punjab in partnership with the Department for International Development (DFID), UK. PSDF funds vocational training organisations to provide vocational and skills training to the poor and the vulnerable populations of the Punjab. Until now, PSDF has funded trainings of 110,935 men and women from its target districts of the Punjab under its various schemes for skills development.

23 Oct
Press Release

PSDF Launches its New Scheme Skills for Employability 2015

LAHORE: In its perseverance to promote quality vocational skills development, PSDF launched its new scheme, Skills for Employability 2015, to fund training of more than 16,000 individuals in various employment-oriented trades. Contracts worth 730 million were awarded to 79 training service providers in a launching ceremony here at a local hotel. The scheme would target individuals belonging to the 14 target districts – Bahawalpur, Bahawalnagar, Rahim Yar Khan, Khanewal, Lodhran & Vehari, Muzaffargarh, Chiniot, Faisalabad, Gujranwala, Narowal, Lahore, Sheikhupura and Sargodha, in order to equip them with various need-based skills.

While addressing the media, COO PSDF, Mr. Ali Akbar Bosan said that PSDF successfully trained more than 86,000 individuals since its inception. The scheme is another round of one of PSDF’s major training schemes, Skills for Employability, under which individuals will be imparted technical and vocational skills that are demanded by local industry. Mr. Bosan expressed his gratitude for the Government of the Punjab and Department for International Development UK (DFID) for patronizing the promotion of quality skills development in the province. He further said that PSDF is rigorously pursuing to enhance the role of local industry in the development of relevant skilled manpower for the country.

Under Skills for Employability 2015, trainings will be imparted in diverse trade groups ranging from agriculture, automobile, hospitality, information technology and footwear. Through its all training schemes, PSDF will achieve its target to fund training of 135,000 individuals from the fourteen target districts of Punjab.

Punjab Skills development Fund (PSDF) is a section 42 company, established by the Government of the Punjab in collaboration with the Department for International Development (DFID), UK. PSDF funds vocational training organizations for providing vocational and skills training to the poor and the vulnerable populations of fourteen districts of South Punjab – Bahawalpur, Lodhran, Muzaffargarh, Bahawalnagar, Vehari, Khaewal, Rahim Yar Khan, Lahore, Sargodha, Gujranwala, Faisalabad, Chiniot, Narowal and Sheikhupura. Until now, PSDF has funded trainings of more than 86,000 men and women from its target districts of the Punjab under its various schemes for skill development.

For any other query, please contact Mr. Usman Khan, Assistant Manager Communications

Cell # 0321 – 4120589

23 Oct
Press Release

PSDF Launches its New Scheme Skills for Job 2015

LAHORE: In its perseverance to promote quality vocational skills development, PSDF has launched its new scheme, Skills for Job 2015, to train more than 11,000 individuals in various employment-oriented trades. Contracts of worth eight hundred million were awarded to fifty two training service providers in a launching ceremony here at a local hotel. The scheme would target individuals belonging to the districts of Khanewal, Vehari, Bahawalnagar, Bahawalpur, Lodhran, Muzaffargarh and Rahim Yar Khan, in order to equip them with various need-based skills.

While addressing the media, CEO PSDF, Mr. Ali Sarfraz said that PSDF successfully trained more than 55,000 individuals since its inception. The scheme is another round of one of PSDF’s major training schemes, Skills for Job, under which individuals are imparted with technical and vocational skills that are demanded by the job market. He expressed his gratitude for the Government of the Punjab and Department for International Development UK (DFID) for patronizing the promotion of quality skills development in the province. He further said that the Fund is rigorously pursuing to enhance the role of local industry in the development of relevant skilled manpower for the country.

According to company spokesperson, under Skills for Job 2015, trainings will be imparted in diverse trade groups ranging from construction, automobile, electrical, mechanical, energy, garments, and hospitality and service sector. Through the launch of its upcoming training schemes, the Fund is going to train another pool of 80,000 individuals from the fourteen districts of Punjab.

Punjab Skills development Fund (PSDF) is a section 42 company, established by the Government of the Punjab in collaboration with the Department for International Development (DFID), UK. PSDF funds vocational training organizations for providing vocational and skills training to the poor and the vulnerable populations of fourteen districts of South Punjab – Bahawalpur, Lodhran, Muzaffargarh, Bahawalnagar, Vehari, Khaewal, Rahim Yar Khan, Lahore, Sargodha, Gujranwala, Faisalabad, Chiniot, Narowal and Sheikhupura. Until now, PSDF has funded trainings of 80,000 men and women from its target districts of the Punjab under its various schemes for skill development. In future, PSDF plans to launch specialized schemes for labor-intensive sectors: Light Engineering, Footwear, Food Processing, Construction, Garments and Hospitality.

For any other query, please contact Mr. Usman Khan, Assistant Manager Communications

Cell # 0321 – 4120589

23 Oct
Press Release

PSDF and Akhuwat inks agreement to facilitate trainees

LAHORE: Punjab Skills Development Fund (PSDF) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Akhuwat on September 22, 2014 here. MoU signing ceremony was held at the PSDF Head Office in Lahore where Chief Executive Officer (CEO) PSDF Mr Ali Sarfraz and Executive Director Akhuwat Dr Muhammad Amjad Saqib inked the agreement on behalf of their organizations. The purpose of the MoU was to develop a liaison between PSDF-funded trainees and Akhuwat for facilitating PSDF trainees so that that they can avail micro-finance loans. PSDF will also share the relevant information about Akhuwat with its trainees so that they can easily avail these loans which will enable them in starting their own business. The collaborative effort will prove to be a landmark initiative for the PSDF-funded trainees who want to become entrepreneurs but they are unable to do so have limited resources.  The initiative will be a hope for poor trainees who want to start their own business or enterprise.

During the MOU signing Ceremony, PSDF CEO explained that the Fund would provide information to PSDF-funded trainees about Akhuwat and its locations in different districts. He said that it would help the trainees to understand the whole process. He further elaborated that a combined brochure of Akhuwat and PSDF, containing the basic information about Akhuwat and eligibility criteria for getting loans from Akhuwat, will be developed. To further augment the facilitation, PSDF will also include branch locations of Akhuwat on its website. Executive Director Akhuwat Dr Muhammad Amjad Saqib said that special preference will be given to PSDF-funded trainees so that they can avail microfinance loans in operational areas of Akhuwat. He said that Akhuwat will provide all information about its branches locations to PSDF and also dedicate a contact person for dealing with PSDF-funded trainees.

Punjab Skills development Fund (PSDF) is a section 42 company, established by the Government of the Punjab in collaboration with the Department for International Development (DFID), UK. PSDF funds vocational training organisations for providing vocational and skills training to the poor and the vulnerable populations of fourteen districts of South Punjab – Bahawalpur, Lodhran, Muzaffargarh, Bahawalnagar, Vehari, Khaewal, Rahim Yar Khan, Lahore, Sargodha, Gujranwala, Faisalabad, Chiniot, Narowal and Sheikhupura. Until now, PSDF has funded trainings of 52,000 men and women from its target districts of the Punjab under its various schemes for skill development. In future, PSDF plans to launch specialized schemes for labor-intensive sectors: Light Engineering, Footwear, Food Processing, Construction, Garments and Hospitality.

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