PESHAWAR (APP) - Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government has launched another major initiative to create employment opportunities for youth by introducing its flagship Digital Skills Initiative under the IT Board.
The formal launch ceremony was held at the Chief Minister’s House here on Tuesday, where Chief Minister Ali Amin Khan Gandapur inaugurated the programme.
A total of 27,450 young people across the province will be trained in globally recognized, market-driven digital skills, while 2,888 graduates will be awarded scholarships for global certification. The programme also includes career counseling and mentorship for participants.
In the first phase, over 6,000 applications were received, out of which 1,268 students were transparently selected on merit for the inaugural batch. Training partners have been chosen through a competitive process to deliver instruction in 24 digital domains, including Artificial Intelligence, Cloud Computing, Cybersecurity, Computer Networking, Graphic Designing, Game Development, and Social Media Marketing, among others.
A strong monitoring and evaluation framework has been set up to ensure quality and accountability.
The programme aims to produce a skilled workforce capable of finding employment in both local industries and the global freelance market.
Speaking at the ceremony, Chief Minister Gandapur congratulated the IT Board team on launching what he called an important flagship initiative and extended his best wishes to the selected graduates.
He said the programme is not just about digital skills but its about financial independence and laying the foundation for a brighter future for our youth.
With global demand for digital expertise rising, our young people can tap into countless opportunities, including self-employment.
He added that the provincial government is working to digitize public services to strengthen systems and ensure transparency.