13 اکتوبر
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

13 اکتوبر
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

13 اکتوبر
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.

13 اکتوبر
Press Release

PSDF Launches Women-Focused Scheme for Skill Development

LAHORE: In the perseverance to further effectuate its efforts for skills development, Punjab Skills Development Fund (PSDF) launched its new scheme, Skills for Market 2013-14 today in a ceremony here. The launching ceremony was organized at the organization’s head office in Lahore, where contracts of Rs. 397/- million were awarded to 16 training service providers. PSDF has taken on board a multitude of training service providers from both public and private sector to deliver quality training services. Under the scheme, 10,000 women from 10 districts of the Punjab – Lahore, Chiniot, Faisalabad, Gujranwala, Khanewal, Narowal, Rahim Yar Khan, Sargodha, Shiekhupura and Vehari – will be trained in courses relevant to livestock & farming and textiles & services. While addressing at the ceremony, COO PSDF Mr Ali Akbar Bosan said that the scheme would contribute in enhancing women’s participation in the country’s labor force. He further said that the Fund follows a competitive model for the award of contracts which ensures transparency and helps escalating the quality of training services. He said that untrained or informally-trained women remain unable to command better wages in the job market which hinders the prospective economic growth and results in the creation of ineffective markets. The particular scheme would offer training opportunities in various innovative trades which will enable better livelihood opportunities for women belonging to meager economic backgrounds.

The scheme is a sequel to the Fund’s previous two rounds of the scheme – Skills for Market. In the preceding rounds, more than 6,000 women from the Fund’s target districts of Punjab have been trained in numerous vocational trades. Skills for Market 2014-15 will feature vocational trainings in trades like; Home Based Livestock Farming, Kitchen Gardening, Food Processing, Commercial Bee-Keeping, Solar Drying of Fruits and Tunnel Farming. From the trade group of textiles & services, trainings will be provided in courses like Textiles Embellishments, Industrial Stitching, Textile Product Delivery and Marketing.

According to company spokesperson, the scheme has been designed after extensive deliberations with all the stakeholders in order to provide socially pertinent training opportunities specifically for the rural women of the Punjab in order to capacitate them to earn reasonably for their families.

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 40,000 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.

13 اکتوبر
Press Release

PSDF collaborates with PIFFA to assess skills needs in the logistics sector

LAHORE: Punjab Skills Development Fund (PSDF) in its latest efforts to increase the supply of skilled labour in the country conducted a workshop on the “Skills Need Assessment for the Logistics Sector” in association with Pakistan International Freight Forwarders Association (PIFFA). The workshop brought together experts and stakeholders from all fields with in the logistics sector with the aim to identify the dearth of trained manpower and skills gaps prevalent in the sector.

Chairman PSDF, Dr. Ijaz Nabi, began his speech by providing a background of the Government’s initiatives for skills development in the province. He said that PSDF is focusing on the logistics sector as it has great potential for employability and growth. “This highly-productive sector is very labor-intensive and offers numerous entry-level jobs for unskilled workers as well as technicians,” PSDF Chairman said. He also described the general situation of Pakistan’s logistics sector, and also explained the strategic issues and obstructions faced by the sector. He then gave the audience a briefing on the goals and objectives of the workshop.

CEO, PSDF, Mr. Ali Sarfraz, in his opening remarks, said that the workshop will enable the organisation to design a scheme that directly addresses the needs of the logistics sector. He said that the feedback gathered through the experts provides a bird’s eye view of the trends in this sector, enabling PSDF to better align its efforts. The rationale behind each training scheme is driven by gauging the industry’s demand for skills and expertise in a particular sector. In the same verve, the valuable information revealed in this workshop will be worked on to launch a training scheme in order to support the logistics sector of the Punjab.

Addressing to the participants, Mr. Abdul Majeed Paracha, Chairman, PIFFA, said that non-trained workers impose severe limitations on capacity as well as the quality of work. He said that the association is optimistic that the workshop will prove very helpful in this regard. He added, by utilizing PSDF’s expertise in skills development, the logistics industry will get a much-needed boast as trained labour will be better equipped to take on the future challenges of the industry.

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 the trainings of 40,000 men and women in its target districts of Punjab under its various schemes for skill development. In future, PSDF plans to launch special schemes for sectors: light engineering, footwear, food processing, sports goods, surgical instruments & cutlery and furniture.

13 اکتوبر
Press Release

Samsung Empowers Rural Female Artisans by supporting their Craftsmanship through its Corporate Citizenship Initiative – Aangan

Samsung in collaboration with Kaarvan Crafts Foundation and Punjab Skill Development Fund is encouraging financial inclusion of women through digital literacy and provision of technology at the grass root level

Lahore, October 11, 2019: Samsung introduces the second edition of Aangan to improve the financial outlook and create opportunities for women in partnership with Kaarvan Crafts Foundation and Punjab Skill Development Fund. Through Aangan, Samsung is reviving and celebrating Pakistani female rural artisans and their craftsmanship and becoming the enabler for financial inclusivity.

The official MOU signing ceremony for this year’s edition of Aangan took place at the Samsung head office in Lahore. The MOU was signed by Mr. Roy Chang – Managing Director Samsung Electronics Pakistan, Mr. Danish Jabbar Khan – Chief Executive Officer Kaarvan Crafts Foundation and Mr. Jawad Khan – Chief Executive Officer Punjab Skill Development Fund.

Speaking at the event, Mr. Roy said: “At Samsung, our Global Corporate Citizenship vision is ‘Enabling People’. By providing education for future generations, we empower future innovators to achieve their full potential and become the next generations of leaders to pioneer positive social change.”

Aangan is an initiative that aims to revolutionize every courtyard, in every home; creating female micro-entrepreneurs (MEs) in various villages all across Punjab. Aangan started last year in partnership with Kaarvan Crafts Foundation with 80 micro-entrepreneurs (MEs) garnering massive success and helping these MEs earn an additional 12% on average and hence contributing towards their improved financial standing. This year the programme has been expanded to 140 micro-entrepreneurs with the inclusion of graduates from the Skills for Market Linkages (SFML) initiative of PSDF; providing them with market linkages through the aanganpk.com marketplace and transforming skilled craftswomen into business women.

Mr. Jawad Khan, CEO, PSDF said, “PSDF is keenly engaged in creating market access and linkages for its beneficiaries through the use of technology, especially for rural women, who find it difficult to identify, access and serve local and international markets. Through the Aangan platform, PSDF is confident that it will successfully overcome these challenges and contribute towards higher income generation opportunities for its beneficiaries.”

Mr. Danish Khan, CEO Kaarvan Crafts Foundation said, "The idea of Aangan is to unlock the potential of the Female Artisans living in far flung areas of Pakistan with Digital Market Linkages where they can sell directly to the customers without any intermediary. Now, that is a game changer when these artisans embrace technology as an opportunity and that is what we are doing through Aangan.’

Aangan in an all-inclusive initiative that provides rural women with multi-fold trainings; ranging from skill development and refinement, product enhancement and digital literacy trainings. It also provides them with access to smartphones, internet and an online marketplace (www.aanganpk.com) to register and sell their products directly to end consumers all across Pakistan with the aim to help expand the social and economic capacities of rural women – to contribute to the well-being of self, family and society.

About Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd:
Samsung inspires the world and shapes the future with transformative ideas and technologies. The company is redefining the worlds of TVs, smartphones, wearable devices, tablets, digital appliances, network systems, and memory, system LSI, foundry and LED solutions. For the latest news, please visit the Samsung Newsroom at http://news.samsung.com.

About Kaarvan Crafts Foundation:

Crafts Foundation was established in 2004 and is incorporated as a Not-for-Profit company registered under Section 32 and licensed under Section 42 of Companies Ordinance, Pakistan. It’s a hub of innovation, passion and humility. Kaarvan believes that every woman has the right to earn a dignified livelihood. It provides life skills to Pakistani Rural Women in order to build their confidence to participate in local decision-making and carving connections with relevant urban markets. Kaarvan has developed a holistic practice of immersive grassroots operational fieldwork for the rural women to develop socially constructive attitudes and behaviors – Skills to craft a living as right to development, right to peace and right to healthful environment. Till date Kaarvan has mobilized, trained and empowered more than 24,000 rural women in 15 districts across Pakistan – expanding economic opportunities for them to earn their own income.

About PSDF – A Success Story of Public-Private Partnerships:

Punjab Skills Development Fund (PSDF) is the largest skills development fund in Pakistan. PSDF was established in 2010 as a not-for-profit company set up under the Companies Ordinance 1984 by the Government of Punjab (GoPb) in collaboration with UK’s Department for International Development (DFID). PSDF also exclusively manages the skills training funding of the World Bank.

PSDF’s purpose is to shape the future and well-being of our poor and vulnerable youth by giving them access to skills training of the highest standard so they can find sustainable employment and income-generating opportunities in Pakistan and beyond.

PSDF started its operations in the 4 poorest districts of Punjab. Since 2016, The geographical remit has expanded to the entire 36 districts of Punjab. PSDF has trained almost 300,000 underprivileged youth across Punjab, which includes 180,000+ male and 110,000+ female graduates. These graduates have been trained in approximately 250 demand-driven and market relevant trades across 10 sectors.

PSDF has played a leadership role in creating a skills training market with 90% training partners in the private sector. With 400 training partners that deliver training on behalf of PSDF, out of which over 150 are businesses across the 10 sectors. PSDF has adopted an output-based funding mechanism where it funds contract-to-completion outputs as well as completion-to-income generation outcomes.

PSDF – Media Enquiries

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

Follow PSDF on Social Media

Website: www.psdf.org.pk
LinkedIn: Punjab Skills Development Fund (PSDF)
Facebook:/punjabskillsdevelopmentfund
Twitter: @PSDF_official
YouTube: /punjabskillsdevelopmentfund

13 اکتوبر
Press Release

امریکانا گروپ نے پنجاب سکلز ڈویلپمنٹ فنڈ (پی ایس ڈی ایف) کے ساتھ ایک مفاہمت کی یاددداشت پر دستخط کیے

The Americana Group, signs a MoU with Punjab Skills Development Fund (PSDF)

Lahore, Pakistan – One of the Middle East’s largest food manufacturing and distributing company leading restaurant operators, Americana Group, has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Punjab Skills Development Fund (PSDF) with the aim of hiring trained workforce from Punjab for their Quick Service Restaurants (QSR) business division, that operates close to 1,900 restaurants in the Region. The agreement was signed between Mr. Sai Gandhi, Chief Human Resources Officer, Americana Restaurant Division and Mr. Jawad Khan, Chief Executive Officer, PSDF at the Americana Group Head Office, Sharjah, UAE.

The two parties are committed to creating a successful long-term partnership and give the youth from Punjab a chance to build their careers with one of the leading organizations in the Middle East. In accordance with the agreement MoU, PSDF will fund the training of the workforce, while The Americana Group will employ them the eligible candidates across their QSRs in UAE and KSA.

Mr. Sai Gandhi, Chief Human Resources Officer, Americana Restaurants Division said, “Our partnership with the Punjab Skills Development Fund is to attract young talent and grow our pipeline for our growing restaurant business.”

Mr. Jawad Khan, CEO, PSDF said, “PSDF is playing a leading role in partnering with the best organizations in the Middle East and helping them meet their skilled workforce needs from Pakistan. After the success achieved with Atlantis The Palm and Rotana Groups in the hospitality sector, PSDF is very proud to partner with Americana and meet their skills needs in the QSR space. We look forward to growing our mandate with Americana in other areas of their business.”

About Americana:

Americana is one of the largest and most successful groups in the Middle East & North Africa (MENA), with capabilities spanning manufacturing, distribution and restaurant operations. Our much-loved brands are present in more than 20 markets globally. For over 50 years, Americana has managed a wide portfolio of well-respected brands across its two Divisions: Restaurants and Food, creating direct jobs for almost 60,000 people, today.

A regional pioneer, Americana introduced the concept of Quick Service Restaurants (QSRs) to the Region with its first restaurant of the kind, Wimpy, in Kuwait in 1970. Today, the Restaurants Division operates 1,900 restaurants, with over 40,000 employees, in 13 markets. Americana is the franchisee of some of the world’s most prominent brands in fast food and casual dining; including KFC, Pizza Hut, Hardee’s, Costa Coffee, Krispy Kreme and TGI Friday’s; to name a few.

About PSDF – A Success Story of Public-Private Partnerships:

Punjab Skills Development Fund (PSDF) is the largest skills development fund in Pakistan. PSDF was established in 2010 as a not-for-profit company set up under the Companies Ordinance 1984 by the Government of Punjab (GoPb) in collaboration with UK’s Department for International Development (DFID). PSDF also exclusively manages the skills training funding of the World Bank.

PSDF’s purpose is to shape the future and well-being of our poor and vulnerable youth by giving them access to skills training of the highest standard so they can find sustainable employment and income-generating opportunities in Pakistan and beyond.

PSDF started its operations in the 4 poorest districts of Punjab. Since 2016, The geographical remit has expanded to the entire 36 districts of Punjab. PSDF has trained almost 300,000 underprivileged youth across Punjab, which includes 180,000+ male and 110,000+ female graduates. These graduates have been trained in approximately 250 demand-driven and market relevant trades across 10 sectors.

PSDF has played a leadership role in creating a skills training market with 90% training partners in the private sector. With 400 training partners that deliver training on behalf of PSDF, out of which over 150 are businesses across the 10 sectors. PSDF has adopted an output-based funding mechanism where it funds contract-to-completion outputs as well as completion-to-income generation outcomes.

PSDF – Media Enquiries

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

Follow PSDF on Social Media

Website: www.psdf.org.pk
LinkedIn: Punjab Skills Development Fund (PSDF)
Facebook:/punjabskillsdevelopmentfund
Twitter: @PSDF_official
YouTube: /punjabskillsdevelopmentfund

13 اکتوبر
Press Release

PSDF signs contracts to fund specialized trainings for Non-Muslim Youth

Lahore, Pakistan: On 16th December, Punjab Skills Development Fund (PSDF) organized a contract distribution ceremony for training service providers that qualified under its scheme “Employability Skills for Non-Muslim Youth”.


Minister for Human Rights and Minorities Affairs, Mr Ijaz Alam Augustine addressing the audience

Speaking at the ceremony as chief guest was Minister for Human Rights and Minorities Affairs, Mr. Ijaz Alam Augustine, who outlined the problems that Non-Muslim youth face in Pakistan: poverty, lack of access to education or skills resulting in low paid jobs. He emphasized the need for various stakeholders from the public and private sector to come together and find viable solutions. He commended PSDF, and the training service providers in taking this initiative to improve employability for Non-Muslim Youth in Punjab.


COO PSDF, Mr. Ali Akbar Bosan speaking at the contract signing ceremony

Mr. Ali Akbar Bosan, Chief Operating Officer at PSDF said that the scheme for “Employability Skills for Non-Muslim Youth” represented PSDF’s commitment to provide skills training to vulnerable and marginalized segments of the population. He reiterated that this scheme stemmed from the belief at PSDF that all communities be given equal education, training and economic opportunities.

This scheme is part of the UMEED (Upskilling Marginalized youth for Employability, Empowerment and Dignity) programme at PSDF, which is designed to help ease the transition of marginalized communities into mainstream skilled employment opportunities that have a high earning potential. The skills imparted to the youth are in market relevant and demand driven trades, ranging from AutoCAD, Mobile Development and Graphic Design, to Industrial Operators and Beautician. PSDF has actively involved multiple employers, industrial units and formal training institutions to ensure demand driven training and placement. The aim of this scheme is to ultimately train 5,000 Non-Muslim youth, across 17 different districts in Punjab.

About PSDF – A Success Story of Public-Private Partnerships:

Punjab Skills Development Fund (PSDF) is the largest skills development fund in Pakistan. PSDF was established in 2010 as a not-for-profit company set up under the Companies Ordinance 1984 by the Government of Punjab (GoPb) in collaboration with UK’s Department for International Development (DFID). PSDF also exclusively manages the skills training funding of the World Bank.

PSDF’s purpose is to shape the future and well-being of our poor and vulnerable youth by giving them access to skills training of the highest standard so they can find sustainable employment and income-generating opportunities in Pakistan and beyond.

PSDF started its operations in the 4 poorest districts of Punjab. Since 2016, The geographical remit has expanded to the entire 36 districts of Punjab. PSDF has trained almost 400,000+ underprivileged youth across Punjab, which includes 200,000+ male and 160,000+ female graduates. These graduates have been trained in approximately 250 demand-driven and market relevant trades across 10 sectors.

PSDF has played a leadership role in creating a skills training market with 90% training partners in the private sector. With 400 training partners that deliver training on behalf of PSDF, out of which over 150 are businesses across the 10 sectors. PSDF has adopted an output-based funding mechanism where it funds contract-to-completion outputs as well as completion-to-income generation outcomes.

PSDF – Media Enquiries

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

Follow PSDF on Social Media

Website: www.psdf.org.pk
LinkedIn: Punjab Skills Development Fund (PSDF)
Facebook:/punjabskillsdevelopmentfund
Twitter: @PSDF_official
YouTube: /punjabskillsdevelopmentfund

13 اکتوبر
Press Release

پنجاب سکلز ڈویلپمنٹ فنڈ (پی ایس ڈی ایف) اور Gnowbeنے پاکستان میں مفت آن لائن کوویڈ-19 ‘انفیکشن پریوینشن اینڈ کنٹرول’ کورس کی پیش کی۔

LAHORE: 7th April 2020 – PSDF and international platform Gnowbe have partnered to offer a Free online course “Stay Protected with Infection Control and Prevention 101 Program” for the general public in Pakistan to understand the nature of the virus and its transmission, and protect themselves during the Covid-19 pandemic.

The free 30-minute course offered by Singapore’s leading Ngee Ann Polytechnic, uses Gnowbe’s e- learning platform to provide necessary information that can help curtail the rapid spread of infectious diseases such as Covid-19 As part of the recently signed Memorandum of Understanding between the two organizations. PSDF has created an Urdu version of the course to make it accessible to the broader public.

While the course is open and free to the general public, it is especially recommended for individuals working on the frontline like the Prime Minister’s Tiger Force, field volunteers providing food and critical services, bank employees, law enforcement officers and people living in close quarters where the disease has the highest chances of spreading.

To impart necessary knowledge and information in an engaging manner, the course utilizes a combination of informative videos, tutorials and quizzes to educate the public. Course material comprises of two main topics: Infection Transmission (that details the chain of infection and transmission of diseases) and Infection Prevention (that consists of sessions on prevention by hand hygiene and wearing Personal Protective Equipment). Those who complete the course successfully will receive an international certification from Ngee Ann Polytechnic, School of Health Sciences, Singapore.

Speaking on the partnership with Gnowbe, Mr. Jawad Khan, CEO PSDF commented, “we are delighted to be partnering with a forward-thinking global organization to offer this course in Pakistan at this crucial time. PSDF is playing its part by leading from the front in providing the necessary information on prevention and control on the COVID-19 pandemic.”

In Singapore, Gnowbe has already been using the platform to provide the course ‘Stay Protected with Infection Control and Prevention 101’ free of charge to the general public in 8 languages including Mandarin, Arabic, Malay and German. The partnership with PSDF will add Urdu to the menu as well.

If you are interested in taking the course, use the following links to access it, free of charge:

In Urdu: https://gnow.be/seykj3?s=1
In English: https://learn.gnowbe.com/infection-prevention-control-101

Urdu Preview: Click Here

About PSDF – A Success Story of Public-Private Partnerships:

PSDF is the largest skills development fund in Pakistan for the youth. It plays a leadership role in skills training by collaborating with over 500 training partners, including 200 businesses across 10 sectors. PSDF delivers trainings in 2,400+ locations and 40% of its beneficiaries are women. PSDF also leads the National Accelerator for Closing the Skills Gap in Pakistan in partnership with the World Economic Forum.

PSDF – Media Enquiries

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

Follow PSDF on Social Media

Website: www.psdf.org.pk
LinkedIn: Punjab Skills Development Fund (PSDF)
Facebook:/punjabskillsdevelopmentfund
Twitter: @PSDF_official
YouTube: /punjabskillsdevelopmentfund

About Gnowbe:
GnowBe is a pioneering mobile-first learning and engagement platform, designed to amplify your learning journey by curating leading content, and transforming them into micro actions. The organization is all about Learn. Think. Apply. Share. Learn new concepts. Think and reflect on what it means to a person and how to apply the principles into small actions every day; sharing with peers is part of the learning journey.

13 اکتوبر
Press Release

PSDF and Extreme Commerce launch online training for women as Amazon Virtual Assistants

LAHORE: 24 July, 2020 – Punjab Skills Development Fund (PSDF) has partnered with Extreme Commerce to launch an online training program for women to acquire skills as Amazon Virtual Assistants. The program will enable women to earn and be self-employed, while working remotely, during the current pandemic.

The Covid-19 pandemic is an unprecedented crisis, and Pakistan is no exception. The adverse economic impact of the pandemic has affected people worldwide, particularly women in underdeveloped and developing countries. While there are widespread layoffs and unemployment, PSDF has been trying to establish new avenues and opportunities for sustainable employment.

The Amazon Virtual Assistants online training program launched by PSDF and Extreme Commerce is one such initiative that works by enabling women in Pakistan to assist sellers on the Amazon platform. The ‘Virtual Assistant’ is an independent contractor who provides administrative services to clients while operating outside of the client’s office. From the broader perspective, the role is multi- scope in areas of interest such as administrative, social media, real estate, research, e-commerce, data entry, book-keeping, and marketing.

The training model is online and home-based, teaching women relevant skills ranging from Online Communication, Customer Service, and E-commerce landscape, to Amazon Product Research Tools, creating Listings and Order management,. This training by PSDF and Extreme Commerce spans 2.5 months, with the last leg focused on establishing market linkages. In the pilot of this program, the target is to train 100 females to become Amazon Virtual Assistants.

The program is advantageous in offering women a remote working opportunity, and the chance to become digital entrepreneurs while earning a sustainable income. Moreover, the program is also beneficial in training women in useful, transferable skills, which they can utilize to work as freelancers on Upwork or Fiverr.

Speaking about the venture, Jawad Khan, CEO PSDF said, “Our focus during this pandemic has been to take the initiative to provide sustainable income generation opportunities, particularly for women hardest hit by the pandemic. Loss of jobs and conventional means of earning have meant that we have had to look at new and creative solutions to provide training and income opportunities, this venture is a prime example of our impetus to do just that”.

Sunny Ali, CEO, Extreme Commerce, said, “we are extremely happy to partner with the Punjab Skills Development Fund (PSDF) in a noble-gesture that will enable unemployed women to acquire online skills on the Amazon platform. We hope this joint-venture will commence an era of home-based online business activity for women”.

About PSDF – A Success Story of Public-Private Partnerships:
PSDF is the largest skills development fund in Pakistan for the youth. It plays a leadership role in skills training by collaborating with over 500 training partners, including 200 businesses across 10 sectors. PSDF delivers trainings in 2,400+ locations and 40% of its beneficiaries are women. PSDF also leads the National Accelerator for Closing the Skills Gap in Pakistan in partnership with the World Economic Forum.

ABOUT Extreme Commerce
Extreme Commerce is providing its valued customers the professional training for running and managing an ecommerce business. It understands the value of a customer’s money and the time invested in building a business based on ecommerce platform; hence the Company offers a complete training program that will ensure the ecommerce business has a smooth and profitable run. Extreme Commerce has a fully trained staff with vast experiences under their belt and geared with the expertise of modern business world, who will teach the right ways through which one can operate a successful ecommerce business.

PSDF – Media Enquiries

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

Follow PSDF on Social Media

Website: www.psdf.org.pk
LinkedIn: Punjab Skills Development Fund (PSDF)
Facebook:/punjabskillsdevelopmentfund
Twitter: @PSDF_official
YouTube: /punjabskillsdevelopmentfund

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