Punjab is set to get its first-ever Skill City, after Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif approved the plan in principle. The project aims to expand technical education, link training with industry needs, and prepare young people for real-world jobs. Officials say the initiative will also upgrade existing institutions and establish international partnerships to raise educational standards.
The proposed Skill City is part of a wider plan to strengthen the province’s workforce. Under the program, technical education will be introduced even at the matric level, enabling students to gain practical skills alongside their formal studies. Training will cover fields such as digital technologies, industrial trades, energy systems, tourism, healthcare, and hospitality.
Officials also revealed that the Punjab Technical and Vocational Education Board will partner with institutions in Scotland and the United Kingdom to enhance teaching quality and ensure global recognition of qualifications. Existing vocational schools and technical institutes will be upgraded into centres of excellence, improving both infrastructure and course delivery.
Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif stressed that instructors must be recruited on merit and that courses should be designed with input from industry experts.
Punjab has long faced a gap between the skills young people acquire and the demands of the job market. Thousands of students complete vocational programs each year, but many lack the practical experience employers seek. Officials hope that the new Skill City will bridge this gap by providing market-oriented, hands-on training.
