The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government has launched a province-wide initiative to train 27,450 youth in market-driven digital skills and award scholarships to 2,888 graduates for global certifications. The program also includes career counselling and mentorship for participants.
In the first phase, over 6,000 applications were received, with 1,268 students selected on merit for the inaugural batch. Training partners were chosen through a competitive process to deliver instruction across 24 digital domains, including Artificial Intelligence, Cloud Computing, Cybersecurity, Computer Networking, Graphic Designing, Game Development, and Social Media Marketing. A monitoring and evaluation framework has been established to ensure quality and accountability.
Chief Minister Ali Amin Khan Gandapur inaugurated the program at the Chief Minister’s House in Peshawar, emphasizing that it is not only about digital skills but also financial independence and building a brighter future for the province’s youth.
“With global demand for digital expertise rising, our young people can tap into countless opportunities, including self-employment,” he said, noting that the provincial government is digitizing public services, with 29 fully digitized so far.
Special Assistant to KP CM on Science, Technology and IT Dr. Shafqat Ayaz, Secretary STIT Amjad Ali Khan, Managing Director IT Board Dr. Aqif, departmental officials, and selected students attended the ceremony.
The Chief Minister urged participants to uphold Islamic values, stay focused on their goals, maintain a positive mindset, and foster healthy competition. “Youth are the hope and future of the nation. We will continue to provide them with opportunities to build their future and contribute to national development,” he said.
The program is part of KP’s broader plan to invest Rs18 billion in youth digital skill development, aiming to produce a workforce capable of serving local industries and the global freelance market.
