KP govt unveils major youth skill development, employment initiatives

PESHAWAR: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) government has launched four major initiatives aimed at providing modern technical training and creating employment opportunities for the province's youth.

A ceremony organized by the KP Technical Education and Vocational Training Authority (TEVTA) marked the inauguration of these programs, with Chief Minister Ali Amin Khan Gandapur attending as the chief guest, according to a statement from the Chief Minister’s Secretariat.

During the event, it was announced that the Rs 4 billion Ehsaas Hunar Program will be implemented through Akhuwat Microfinance, with Rs 2 billion allocated for the current fiscal year. Under this initiative, interest-free loans of up to Rs 500,000 will be provided to skilled youth to start their businesses, benefiting over 35,000 individuals.

The government has also launched the Rural Economic Transformation Project (RETP) with an estimated cost of Rs 11.4 billion, funded by the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and the European Union.

This program will provide free technical and vocational training to 60,000 men and women from rural areas. Additionally, 42,000 skilled individuals will receive financial assistance averaging $300 to support self-employment, while internships and job placement support will be offered to 25,000 graduates.

In another initiative, several technical institutes across the province will be upgraded. Institutions like the Government College of Technology in Nowshera and Abbottabad will be transformed into Centers of Excellence, while 22 technical institutes will be modernized and nine elevated to DAE Level-5 standards with support from GIZ and the European Union.

The On-Job Training Program aims to place over 3,000 youth in industries, with trainees receiving a monthly stipend of Rs 15,000 during a three-month training period.

Speaking on the occasion, Chief Minister Gandapur emphasized the government’s commitment to empowering the province’s youth through these projects, which aim to reduce unemployment and boost economic growth.