Punjab’s Rs26 Billion Skills Drive Aims to Build a Self-Reliant Workforce

The Government of Punjab has launched a bold new initiative by allocating Rs26 billion in its 2025 provincial budget to skills development and entrepreneurship programs. This strategic investment is designed to create a more self-reliant workforce, reduce unemployment, and empower youth to become job creators rather than job seekers.

Announced during the latest budget session in Lahore, the funding will support vocational training, technical education, and startup incubation through agencies such as the Punjab Skills Development Fund (PSDF) and the Technical Education and Vocational Training Authority (TEVTA). With a sharp focus on aligning education with market needs, the plan prioritizes training in high-demand sectors such as information technology, renewable energy, healthcare, and construction.

“This is a shift from dependence to empowerment,” said Punjab Finance Minister Mujtaba Shuja-ur-Rehman during the budget address. “Instead of relying on government aid, we want to give people the tools to succeed through skill and enterprise.”

A significant portion of the Rs26 billion package will go toward expanding digital skills bootcamps, modernizing vocational institutes, and funding small business grants for young entrepreneurs—especially women. The move reflects a center-to-right approach that encourages individual initiative and reduces long-term welfare burdens on the state.

Business leaders across Punjab have cautiously welcomed the move, noting that while previous efforts have fallen short, the intent of this budget signals a more grounded, results-driven approach. “The commitment is commendable,” said Lahore Chamber of Commerce member Nadeem Sheikh. “But success will depend on private-sector partnerships and a focus on real-world job outcomes.”

Past training programs in the province were often marred by inefficiencies, limited follow-up, and mismatched skills. However, under the current policy, the government aims to create direct links between training institutions and employers—both domestic and overseas—ensuring that graduates have a clear employment pathway.

Entrepreneurship is also being treated as a key pillar of Punjab’s economic recovery strategy. New schemes will provide seed funding, mentorship, and business development support to help micro and small enterprises scale sustainably.

With Pakistan’s youth unemployment rate climbing and the economy in urgent need of revitalization, Punjab’s Rs26 billion initiative may offer a timely solution. If implemented effectively, it could mark a major step toward rebuilding the province’s economic engine—one skilled worker at a time.