Youth Skill-Based Scholarships

What are Youth Skill-Based Scholarships?

Here’s a breakdown of the most prominent youth skill-based scholarships and training initiatives in Punjab & Pakistan:

e‑Rozgaar Program (PITB & Youth Affairs, Punjab)

• Purpose: Train university graduates in digital freelancing skills like programming, content marketing, UI/UX, e-commerce, and digital marketing.

• Launched by: CM Shahbaz Sharif on March 28, 2017 .

• Delivery: In-person training at ~40 centers across Punjab; aims to prepare 10,000 freelancers monthly.

Chief Minister Internship Program (CMIP) – Punjab

• Purpose: Provide 6-month paid internships (Rs. 25,000/month stipend) to equip unemployed youth with hands-on skills and workplace experience.

• Eligibility: 18–25 years old, Punjab domicile, recent graduates (last 2 years).

• Scale: 6,000 merit-based seats.

Prime Minister’s Youth Programme / Ehsaas PMYDP

• Purpose: Multi-faceted support including skill development, internships, entrepreneurship financing, and business incubation.

• Benefits: Includes skill training, interest-free loans (up to PKR 5 million in some phases), and entrepreneurial support.

Chief Minister Punjab Skill Development Program

• Purpose: Offer free vocational and IT training—including electrician, solar tech, culinary, beautician, welding, data science, digital marketing, cybersecurity, etc.

• Administered through: TEVTA and PSDF.

• Scale: Over 50 trades across 184 institutes, centralised admissions opened Dec 2024; classes began Jan 2025.

PSDF Skills Scholarships

• PSDF partners with training providers to offer free/low-cost vocational training in trades such as plumbing, electrician, hospitality, IT, healthcare.

• Coverage: Tuition, stipends, transportation allowances for youth from low-income backgrounds.

Comparison Table

Program	Skills Focus	Financial Support	Eligibility
e‑Rozgaar	Digital/freelancing skills	Free training	Youth graduates
CM Internship (CMIP)	Workplace & soft skills via internship	₨25k/month stipend	18–25; recent grads
PM Youth Programme	Skills + entrepreneurship + loans	Varies (loans, skill grants)	18–35; educated youth
CM Skill Development (Punjab)	Vocational + IT trade skills	Free trade training	Youth in Punjab
PSDF Scholarships	Vocational/technical trades	Covered tuition, stipends	Low-income youth

Summary

Youth skill-based scholarships in Pakistan offer free or subsidized training across digital, vocational, and entrepreneurial domains—often with stipends or loans. These initiatives aim to boost employability, start-ups, and freelancing, bridging education to income-generation.

Who launched this scholarship program?

The Youth Skill-Based Scholarship programs in Punjab were launched by various leaders under different initiatives—here’s a breakdown of who led each effort:

e‑Rozgaar Program (Digital Freelancing for Graduates)

Launched on March 28, 2017, by Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif in collaboration with PITB and the Youth Affairs & Sports Department. Its aim was to train university graduates for the digital freelancing market.

2. Chief Minister Skills Development Program (TEVTA/PSDF)

Flagged off on May 13, 2024, by Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif at the Government Technology College for Women in Lahore. This program offers advanced IT and vocational training to youth in Punjab.

PSDF’s “Skilled Punjab” Program (GCC Placement)

Also launched under the leadership of CM Maryam Nawaz Sharif (via PSDF), this initiative targets international job placements—training 10,000 youth for employment in Gulf countries.

 Summary

Program	Launch Leader	Launch Date	Focus
e‑Rozgaar	CM Shahbaz Sharif	March 28, 2017	Digital freelancing training
CM Skills Development (TEVTA)	CM Maryam Nawaz Sharif	May 13, 2024	Free IT/vocational training
Skilled Punjab (GCC)	CM Maryam Nawaz Sharif	Dec 2024	Training for Gulf job placement

Final Word

• Shahbaz Sharif launched the e‑Rozgaar initiative.

• Maryam Nawaz Sharif launched both the CM Skills Training and the Skilled Punjab for international employment program.

Who is eligible to apply for this scholarship?

Eligibility for Youth Skill-Based Scholarships (especially those under CM Punjab and e-Rozgaar programs) depends on the specific initiative, but here is a combined and clear overview:

General Eligibility Criteria

Requirement	Details
Education	Must be at least Matric or Intermediate pass (varies by course)
Age Limit	Usually between 18 to 35 years old
Domicile	Must be a resident of Punjab
Unemployed	Priority given to unemployed youth or those not enrolled in formal education
For e-Rozgaar	Must be a graduate (16 years education) from HEC-recognized university
For Overseas Training	Basic spoken English and medical fitness may be required (Gulf placement programs)

Program-Specific Example:

CM Punjab Skill Development Program (2024–25)

• Age: 18–35

• Education: Matric/intermediate or above

• Must not be enrolled in another government training program

• No prior technical training in selected trade

• Domicile: Punjab

• Females, youth from remote/rural areas, and unemployed youth are given preference

e-Rozgaar Program

• Education: Bachelor’s degree (16 years)

• Age: Up to 35 years

• Must clear an online entry test

• Must have valid CNIC

 Summary:

You are eligible if you:

• Are 18–35 years old

• Are from Punjab

• Have basic education (Matric or higher, depending on course)

• Are currently unemployed or looking to build employable skills

• For some programs (e.g., e-Rozgaar), a university degree is required

Is there any age limit to apply for this scholarship?

Yes, most youth skill-based scholarships and training programs in Punjab have an age limit to ensure the focus remains on young people entering the workforce.

Common Age Limits Across Major Programs

1. CM Digital Skills Program for Women (2025)

   • Age limit: 18–35 years (90% of seats), with a small percentage open to older women ➜ CM Punjab Skills Development Program (TEVTA/PSDF)

   • General age limit: 18–35 years for unmarried youth and unemployed individuals ➜ 

2. CM Internship Program (CMIP)

   • Age limit: 18–25 years for recent graduates 

3. e‑Rozgaar (Freelancing Training)

• Though not always listed, participants are typically between 18–35 years, aligning with youth-focused digital training norms.

4.  Summary Table

   Program	Age Limit
   CM Digital Skills (Women)	18–35 years
   Skills Dev Program (TEVTA/PSDF)	18–35 years
   CM Internship (CMIP)	18–25 years
   e‑Rozgaar	Approx. 18–35

   What This Means for You

   • If you're between 18 and 35, you're eligible for most skill development and digital training programs.

   • If you're a recent graduate (18–25), you're also eligible for the CM Internship.

   • For programs targeting older women, some seats are reserved for those above 35, but the primary focus remains youth-centric.

5. Can matric or intermediate pass students apply?

6. 

   Yes,  matric and intermediate pass students can apply for many youth skill-based training and scholarship programs in Punjab — especially those under TEVTA, PSDF, and CM Skill Development initiatives.

   
   

7. CM Punjab Skill Development Program (via TEVTA/PSDF)

• Matric or Inter pass students are fully eligible

•  Courses offered: electrician, computer operator, beauty therapy, welding, digital marketing, solar panel installation, etc.

•  Focus is on practical vocational and IT skills for employment.

•  Age: 18–35 years

•  Training is free, and some programs also offer stipends

8. e‑Rozgaar Program

   • Not for Matric/Inter pass

   •  Requires a Bachelor’s degree (16 years education)

   • (This is a digital freelancing program for graduates)

   Skills for All – NAVTTC / Hunarmand Pakistan

   •  Matric/Inter pass students are eligible

   •  Over 100+ courses in technical and trade skills available across Pakistan

    Summary Table

   Program/Initiative	Matric/Inter Eligible?	Notes
   CM Punjab Skill Dev (TEVTA/PSDF)	Yes	Free training in 50+ trades
   e‑Rozgaar (Freelancing)	No	For graduates only
   NAVTTC / Skills for All Program	Yes	Across Pakistan
   PSDF Technical Scholarships	Yes	With stipend in many cases

   
   

9.  Conclusion:

   If you have passed Matric or Intermediate, you can apply for:

   • CM Skill Development Program

   • PSDF vocational scholarships

   • NAVTTC free skill training programs

   Only e‑Rozgaar requires a bachelor’s degree.

11. Are university students also eligible?

12. Yes,  university students are also eligible for many youth skill-based scholarship programs — especially those focused on IT, freelancing, and digital skills.

13. For University Students – Fully Eligible In:

    1.  e-Rozgaar Program (Freelancing Training)

• Yes, university students (especially graduates or final-year students) can apply

•  Must have 16 years of education or be in the final semester

•  Online entry test required

•  Focus: Freelancing, Digital Marketing, Graphic Design, Web Development

14. CM Punjab Skills Development Program (2024–25)

    • Yes, university students (especially dropouts or unemployed grads) can apply

    •  Free vocational or IT training (data science, cybersecurity, solar tech, etc.)

    •  Ideal for students looking for job-ready skills alongside education

    CM Internship Program (CMIP)

    • Yes, but you must be a recent graduate (last 2 years)

    •  Stipend: Rs. 25,000/month

    •  Great for building work experience for university grads

    Who Is Not Eligible (in most cases)?

    • Students under 18

    • Those already enrolled in another govt-funded training

    • Students who do not pass the entry test (in e-Rozgaar)

     Summary

    Program	University Students Eligible?	Notes
    e-Rozgaar Program	Yes	Final-year or graduates
    CM Skills Development (TEVTA)	Yes	Both current & pass-outs
    CM Internship (CMIP)	Yes (Graduates only)	Must be recent grads
    NAVTTC / PSDF Short Courses	Yes	Depending on course/field

    
    

15. What type of institutes offer these skill-based programs?

16. 
    

    Skill-based programs in Pakistan — especially under Punjab Government initiatives — are offered through a network of technical, vocational, and IT training institutes that are either public, semi-government, or private partners. Here’s a complete breakdown:

    Types of Institutes Offering Skill-Based Programs

    1. TEVTA Institutes (Technical Education & Vocational Training Authority)

    • Government-run technical training centers across Punjab

    • Offer courses in:

      • Electrician, plumbing, welding

      • Computer applications

      • Dress designing, beautician training

      • Solar panel technician, AC repair

    Example: Government College of Technology, Lahore
    Website: rozgarinfohub.blogspot.com

17. PSDF Partner Institutes (Punjab Skills Development Fund)

    • PSDF funds both private and public institutes

    • Focuses on:

      • Job-ready trades like hospitality, IT, mechanics, food processing

      • Soft skills, job placement, overseas employment

    Example: The Hunar Foundation, Descon Training Institute
     Often includes stipends or placement support

    
    

18. e-Rozgaar Training Centers

    • Specialized centers for digital freelancing

    • Affiliated with PITB (Punjab Information Technology Board)

    • Located in 40+ universities & colleges across Punjab

    Women-Only Training Centers

    • Many CM Punjab & TEVTA programs reserve seats for women

    • Includes Women Technical Training Institutes (WTTIs) in each district

    • Courses: Stitching, salon training, IT basics, e-commerce

    Courses: Digital marketing, graphic design, technical writing
    Website: www.rozgarinfohub,blogspot.com

    
    

19. NAVTTC-Affiliated Institutes

    • Federal-level initiative offering courses nationwide

    • Includes:

      • Public-sector vocational schools

      • Private training providers

      • Industrial training centers

    Program: “Skills for All” under Hunarmand Pakistan

20. Summary Table

    Institute Type	Programs Offered	Level
    TEVTA	Vocational, IT, engineering trades	Public (Punjab)
    PSDF Partner Institutes	Job-based technical & service skills	Semi-private
    e-Rozgaar Centers	Digital & freelancing skills	Public/universities
    NAVTTC-Affiliated Centers	National-level skill programs	Public + Private
    Women Technical Centers	Tailored courses for females	Public/local