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The Ministry of IT and Telecommunication has opened applications for the second batch of the SkillBridge Apprenticeship Program, offering paid industry exposure to recent IT graduates across Pakistan.
The six-month apprenticeship is designed to help fresh graduates move smoothly from classrooms into professional workplaces. Selected candidates will be placed in IT and IT-enabled services companies registered with the Pakistan Software Export Board (PSEB), where they will work full-time on practical assignments and real projects. Participants will receive a monthly stipend of Rs. 30,000 during the program.
SkillBridge is a national initiative jointly led by the Ministry of IT and Telecommunication and the Pakistan Software Export Board. The program supports the broader goal of strengthening industry-academia linkages and developing a skilled workforce that meets the evolving needs of Pakistan’s growing IT sector.
The initiative comes as many IT graduates struggle to find entry-level opportunities due to limited hands-on experience. SkillBridge aims to address this gap by giving young professionals early exposure to industry practices, workplace discipline, and technical problem-solving.
Eligibility Criteria
Graduates who received their degrees or transcripts within the last two years are eligible to apply, provided they meet the minimum CGPA requirement of 2.5. According to the Ministry, the second batch is scheduled to begin on February 20, 2026.
The online application portal opened on January 26 and will remain accessible until February 10, 2026. New applicants must register on the portal, while previously registered users are required to update their profiles. The application process includes submitting a resume and uploading necessary documents such as academic transcripts and CNIC.
At the same time, IT and ITeS companies have also been invited to join the program as host organizations. Companies seeking to participate must be registered with PSEB and are required to offer full-time placements to apprentices for the entire duration of the program.
