Islamabad, The Chairperson of the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP), Ms. Rubina Khalid, has announced a new initiative to instill pride and enhance employment opportunities for its beneficiaries through targeted skill training. This effort is part of a broader strategy to tackle youth unemployment and enhance the technical skills of young individuals in Pakistan.
According to Press Information Department, during a meeting at the BISP Headquarters with representatives from the National Vocational and Technical Training Commission (NAVTTC), Ms. Khalid outlined the operational details of the Skill Training Voucher (STV) program. This program is designed to provide the children of BISP beneficiaries with the necessary skills to secure jobs both locally and internationally. The training focuses on various in-demand areas, including Hospitality Management, Graphic Designing, Gems and Stone Polishing, Beautician work, Nurse Care, and Plumbing.
Ms. Khalid emphasized that these training programs are practical and tailored to meet current market demands, thereby increasing the chances for youth to find employment or start their own businesses. Amer Ali Ahmad, Secretary of the BISP, described the STV program as a pioneering effort to lift families out of poverty through skill enhancement.
The Executive Director of NAVTTC, Muhammad Aamir Jan, shared that during the pilot phase, 1,000 children from selected districts who are beneficiaries of the BISP will receive this crucial training. Upon completion, these individuals will be supported in finding employment opportunities, contributing to their socioeconomic uplift.
The meeting was also attended by additional key figures from BISP, including Dr. Muhammad Tahir Noor and Ms. Saira Atta, as well as representatives from the Punjab Skills Development Fund (PSDF), the Pakistan Overseas Employment Promoters Association (POEPA), and the Akhuwat Foundation, all of whom endorsed the initiative and its expected positive impact on community development.