Abbottabad, In a significant move to boost digital skills and employment among the youth of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Google has initiated the Career Certificates Scholarship Program in collaboration with Tech Valley Pakistan and the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Information Technology Board. The announcement was made during an official ceremony held in Abbottabad, the divisional headquarters, marking the beginning of a strategic partnership aimed at preparing the province’s youth for the modern job market.

According to Directorate General Information and PRs – Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the event was graced by the presence of Caretaker Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Justice (retd) Syed Arshad Hussain Shah, who served as the chief guest. The ceremony was attended by senior officials from the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Information Technology Board and Tech Valley Pakistan, along with representatives from higher educational institutions. This initiative follows a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed last week in Islamabad between Tech Valley Pakistan and the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Information Technology Board. The MoU outlines the training and certification of the youth in various digital skills, offering 5000 Google Career Certificate scholarships to young individuals across the province.

The program, launching in Abbottabad, is set to expand to other districts within Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, aiming to quickly equip participants with job-ready skills over six months. Caretaker Chief Minister Syed Arshad Hussain Shah expressed gratitude towards Tech Valley Pakistan and Google for their efforts in promoting digital skills and professional certification among the province’s youth. He emphasized the provincial government’s commitment to supporting this initiative, highlighting its significance in boosting IT-related skills, employment opportunities, and overall economic development.

Shah further stated that this public-private partnership will open new doors for the digital economy in the region and address the growing demand for digital skills, ensuring the youth can benefit maximally from the opportunities presented by the Google Career Certificates Scholarship Program.