The Digital Skills Training Programme initiative by the Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunications will provide a platform for youth to equip themselves with cutting-edge digital skills required to pursue online employment opportunities.
In an interview with WealthPK, program coordinator Umar Akbar said the post-COVID era is marked by increased global interconnectedness through online networks.
“Against this backdrop, there is an increasing demand for digital skills from global companies. The Digital Skills Programme aims to provide ample employment opportunities to the youth,” he said. He noted that initiatives such as the Digital Skills Programme are playing a pivotal role in driving the growth of IT services exports.
According to the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS), the country achieved revenue of $1.523 billion by providing various IT services to different countries in the first seven months of FY2022-23. The statistic shows a growth rate of 2.38 percent compared to FY22. Umar said the program focuses on skills such as digital marketing, virtual assistance, ghostwriting, WordPress, affiliate marketing, data analytics, QuickBooks, business intelligence, graphic design and search engine optimization (SEO).
“With a rapidly growing youth population which constitutes around 60 per cent of the total population, the main objective of the programme is not only to create employment opportunities but also to foster digital literacy across the country,” he asserted.
According to the Ministry of Science report, the digital services sector accounts for almost 1% of gross domestic product (GDP) in absolute terms, or $3.5 billion, and is growing rapidly.
“By providing free online training to the youth, the initiative aims to equip them with in-demand digital skills to become talented freelancers and entrepreneurs. This will foster the startup culture and further boost entrepreneurship in the country,” Umar said.
The programme coordinator said that to make the programme more effective, the government needs to ensure widespread availability of internet facilities across the country. “This kind of digital training programme can have a positive impact on the labour market, spur innovation and contribute significantly to the overall economy,” he added.
