The Punjab government has launched an ambitious drive to train around 90,000 students by 2029 under the Improving Workforce Readiness in Punjab Project, a six-year initiative that seeks to align technical education with labor market demand by upgrading training institutions, introducing industry-driven courses and producing a skilled workforce for eight priority sectors of the provincial economy. Wealth Pakistan documents show the project, which began in 2023 and runs through 2029, aims to bridge the gap between technical and vocational education and industry needs by developing training programs based on a comprehensive skills mapping study.

Wealth Pakistan documents show the project, which began in 2023 and runs through 2029, aims to bridge the gap between technical and vocational education and industry needs by developing training programs based on a comprehensive skills mapping study.

A major component of the initiative is the transformation of 19 technical and vocational institutes into Centers of Excellence, including 16 institutes operated by the Technical Education and Vocational Training Authority (TEVTA) and three managed by the Punjab Vocational Training Council (PVTC).

The upgraded institutes would deliver specialized, market-oriented training in eight high-growth sectors comprising automotive, information and communication technology, tourism, food processing, textile, construction, healthcare and light engineering, all identified as critical drivers of Punjab’s economic expansion and employment generation.

The project aimed to equip nearly 90,000 students with practical, industry-relevant skills by replacing conventional classroom-based instruction with competency-based training that directly addresses employers’ requirements and enhances graduates’ prospects for sustainable employment.

Alongside institutional reforms, the initiative would modernize the ‘Technical and Vocational Education and Training’ management system and strengthen the Labor Market Information System to improve workforce planning, generate reliable labor market data, and support evidence-based policymaking.

The enhanced information system would help policymakers, training providers, and industry leaders identify existing and emerging skills shortages, enabling technical institutes to regularly update curricula and tailor training programs to the changing demands of the labor market.

Punjab’s rapidly expanding industrial and services sectors continue to require a steady pipeline of skilled workers, particularly in information technology, construction, textile, healthcare, manufacturing, and food processing.

Officials believe the workforce readiness project will help close critical skills gaps, improve youth employability, strengthen technical education, and enhance the province’s long-term economic competitiveness through a more productive and future-ready workforce.

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