21 Feb
Announcements, Press Release

PSDF to launch Digital Verification and Validation system developed by Jazz Business

Lahore: 18 February 2021 – The Punjab Skills Development Fund (PSDF) has launched Digital Verification and Validation (DVV) system deployed by Jazz to offer an end-to-end digitalized attendance system and a comprehensive stipend disbursement solution.

This collaboration is an initiative of Jazz Business, which has the largest and most comprehensive portfolio of B2B ICT services and is currently serving 95 of the top 100 PSX listed companies. In the approval phase with NADRA for biometric integration, the project will benefit over 100,000 PSDF’s students across Punjab.

The DVV system will digitize students’ data by collecting, biometrically verifying, and validating it against NADRA’s database. It will also help integrate trainee profiles into PSDF’s management information system, validate student attendances, and monitor the distribution of training learning resources. Using portable biometric devices, the system will ensure reduced staff-hours, quicker turnaround times, and the elimination of fake and ghost trainees.

Moreover, through JazzCash, allocated monthly stipends will be deposited directly into the trainees’ accounts, giving them instant access to stipend and subsequently increasing digital financial inclusion.

Jawad Khan, The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of PSDF, stated: “PSDF is the most modern and technology-savvy development sector company in Pakistan. The partnership with Jazz in the deployment of advanced technologies at PSDF training partner locations is part of our continuous efforts to deliver digital solutions to manage our entire operation.”

Ali Naseer, Chief Business Officer of Jazz, said, “Jazz Business provides unique solutions, offering reliability, cost-effectiveness, and efficiency to our customers. The DVV project will equip PSDF with high levels of data accuracy and security while decreasing operational costs through the use of best-in-class technologies. This collaboration is in line with our vision to develop a safe and robust digital ecosystem.”

For more information, please contact:

communications@psdf.org.pk, +92 423 575 2408-10.

About PSDF:

A Success Story of Public-Private Partnership: PSDF is the largest skills development fund in Pakistan set up by the Government of Punjab (GoPb) in collaboration with Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO). It plays a leadership role in skills training by collaborating with over 500+ training partners, including 200+ businesses across 10 sectors. PSDF delivers trainings in 2,400+ locations and 40% of its beneficiaries are women. PSDF also leads the National Accelerator on Closing the Skills Gap in Pakistan in partnership with the World Economic Forum.

Website: www.psdf.org.pk

LinkedIn: Punjab Skills Development Fund (PSDF)

Facebook:/punjabskillsdevelopmentfund

Twitter: @PSDF_official

YouTube: //punjabskillsdevelopmentfund

Instagram: @psdf_official

About Jazz:

Jazz, Pakistan’s number one 4G operator and a leading digital service provider with over 66 million subscribers including 25 million 4G users. By providing the most extensive portfolio of digital value-added services, Jazz continues to be the country’s undisputed telecom leader.

About Jazz Business:

With 360-degree ICT Solutions covering Mobility, M2M, and Cloud services, Jazz Business is a ‘One Window’ Solutions provider to fully customizable B2B services. It is currently serving over 25,000 companies with smart communications and connectivity solutions to operate more efficiently and collaborate more effectively.

28 Dec
Press Release

PSDF empowers women entrepreneurs for the digital economy

Lahore, 19th Dec, 2020: PSDF women graduates from across the province joined in person and online celebrating their achievements in taking the step towards self-employment in the digital age. At the ceremony 100 women graduated from PSDF’s online courses, designed to empower women for the digital economy. Present as chief guests at the ceremony was Andleeb Abbas, Federal Parliamentary Secretary for Foreign Affairs and Member of National Assembly (MNA).

A study conducted by UNWomen highlights the strong adverse impact of the pandemic on the livelihoods of vulnerable groups like women and recommends financial empowerment and increased labour force participation for women in Pakistan to mitigate the crisis. In light of the multi-faceted challenges brought forward by the pandemic (including loss of jobs and income) PSDF launched specially designed online courses to increase income generation opportunities for women.

Jawad Khan, CEO PSDF spoke of women’s essential membership of the work force. “The enormous province-wide response that the pilots received combined with the sustained economic success as a result of the trainings are proof points that women can contribute massively to household incomes when given the right opportunities. In that endeavour, PSDF plays a front-line role, having graduated over 178,000+ women in the past 10 years”. He also reiterated PSDFs commitment to continually grow women trainings portfolio at PSDF in digital, brick and hybrid models across multiple sectors.

In July 2020, PSDF partnered with Extreme Commerce LLC to launch an online training program for women to acquire skills as Amazon Virtual Assistants. (The ‘Virtual Assistant’ is an independent contractor who provides administrative services to clients while operating outside of the client’s office). The program will enable women to earn and be self-employed, while working remotely, during the current pandemic.

PSDF also launched a partnership with Foodpanda (largest online food delivery platform/service) to enable female home chefs to sell their products through the Foodpanda platform and envisages the training of women articulate in cooking to become empowered entrepreneurs.
These programs fall under PSDF’s URAAN brand, representing the moment of lift, of flight for women, unencumbered by burdens and roadblocks, empowering them with the skills training needed to sustain themselves, their families, and their dreams.

About PSDF – A Success Story of Public-Private Partnerships:

PSDF is the largest skills development fund in Pakistan for the youth. It plays a leadership role in skills training by collaborating with over 500+training partners, including 200+ businesses across 10 sectors. PSDF delivers training in 2,400+ locations and 40% of its beneficiaries are women. PSDF also leads the National Accelerator on Closing the Skills Gap in Pakistan in partnership with the World Economic Forum.

PSDF – Media Enquiries

Communications Team:
Punjab Skills Development Fund (PSDF),
Contact: +92-42-35752408-10
E-mail: communications@psdf.org.pk

Follow PSDF on Social Media

Website: www.psdf.org.pk
LinkedIn: Punjab Skills Development Fund (PSDF)
Facebook:/punjabskillsdevelopmentfund
Twitter: @PSDF_official
YouTube: /punjabskillsdevelopmentfund

16 Dec
Press Release

UNICEF and PSDF sign partnership agreement for research on youth skills development and job placement

Model linking non-formal education and job placement to be developed as part of the ‘Generation Unlimited’ partnership

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan, 11 December 2020 – Today the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the Punjab Skills Development Fund (PSDF) signed a partnership agreement to implement a research and development project in support of adolescent and youth education, skills development and job placement as part of the ‘Generation Unlimited’ partnership in Pakistan.

The agreement will help research, design and pre-test an accelerated and cost-effective ‘Non-Formal Education to Job Placement’ model to help improve the skills and employability of the most vulnerable and economically, socially disadvantaged adolescents and youth. It targets adolescents and young people who have never attended formal education or who dropped out of the formal education system without achieving primary school competencies, and who do not have access to education and economic opportunities.

PSDF will work with UNICEF, federal and provincial governments, and partners from civil society organizations and the private sector to design and pre-test the ‘Non-Formal Education to Job Placement’ model in Punjab. It aims at offering a unique, integrated solution by simultaneously (1) providing adolescents and young people age 10-19 who are outside the formal education system with the opportunity to enroll in an Accelerated Learning Program so they can achieve foundational skills in literacy and numeracy at primary school; (2) equipping those who have achieved grade 5 competency level with job and entrepreneurial skills through training to enhance their capacities to access non-hazardous income generational opportunities; and (3) linking young people who have successfully graduated from the program to the labour market.

“We are proud that UNICEF has partnered with PSDF in Pakistan for this landmark initiative to educate and skill out-of-school adolescents,” said Mr. Jawad Khan, CEO of PSDF. “This is recognition of PSDF as the most innovative and progressive development sector organization in Pakistan. PSDF has deep knowledge in skills training gained through managing large evidence-based and demand-driven programs, operational excellence achieved through working with largest international donors, and unmatched ability to deliver results as PSDF graduates generate annual incomes of PKR 20 Billion.”

The project is part of the ‘Generation Unlimited’ (GenU) partnership in Pakistan, which aims at creating a movement to help young people, particularly adolescent girls and boys between the ages of 10 and 19, acquire the education and skills training required to access employment opportunities. The GenU multi-sector partnership platform brings together government, private sector, civil society organizations and development partners, and forges innovative collaboration with young people, with a view to expand and link formal education and skill development.

“Pakistan has the largest generation of young people in its history, which provides unique challenges as well as opportunities,” said Ms. Aida Girma, UNICEF Representative in Pakistan. “This new model aims to expand opportunities for and with young people, in particular out-of-school adolescent girls and boys, to access quality education, skills training and employment. It supports the Vision of ‘Generation Unlimited’, which is to gather public and private partners around the goal of investing in young people to help them achieve their potential while supporting economic and social growth.”

The model will be developed and pre-tested in Punjab as a first phase. The goal is to start similar programs in other provinces in the future to reach millions of young people who lack opportunities.

About PSDF – A Success Story of Public-Private Partnerships:

PSDF is the largest skills development fund in Pakistan for the youth. It plays a leadership role in skills training by collaborating with over 500+training partners, including 200+ businesses across 10 sectors. PSDF delivers training in 2,400+ locations and 40% of its beneficiaries are women. PSDF also leads the National Accelerator on Closing the Skills Gap in Pakistan in partnership with the World Economic Forum.

PSDF – Media Enquiries

Communications Team:
Punjab Skills Development Fund (PSDF),
Contact: +92-42-35752408-10
E-mail: communications@psdf.org.pk

Follow PSDF on Social Media

Website: www.psdf.org.pk
LinkedIn: Punjab Skills Development Fund (PSDF)
Facebook:/punjabskillsdevelopmentfund
Twitter: @PSDF_official
YouTube: /punjabskillsdevelopmentfund

UNICEF
Catherine Weibel, UNICEF Pakistan, cweibel@unicef.org, +92 300 500 2592
Sana’a Zuberi, UNICEF Pakistan, szuberi@unicef.org, +92 332 8564 233

About UNICEF
UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, to build a better world for everyone. For more information about UNICEF and its work for children, visit www.unicef.org and www.unicef.org/pakistan. Follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

Generation Unlimited
Founded in September 2018,  Generation Unlimited (GenU) aims to transform education, employment and entrepreneurial outcomes for young people around the world by bringing together stakeholders from the private sector, government, UN agencies, civil society and young people to scale up solutions and attract investment.

24 Nov
Press Release

World Economic Forum & PSDF Collaborate to Set Pakistan’s Future Skills Agenda

 

Karachi, 19th Nov, 2020: Top leaders from across the public and private sector gathered at a press conference on Thursday, to discuss the future of jobs in Pakistan, in light of the World Economic Forum Report.

Present at the event were, Parwaaz co-chairs, Sayed Zulfikar Abbas Bukhari (SAPM Overseas Pakistanis & Human Resource Development), Muhammad Aurangzeb, President & CEO HBL, Ghias Khan, President & CEO Engro Corporation, Irfan Wahab Khan, CEO Telenor Pakistan and Chairman Telenor Microfinance Bank as well as top business leaders including, Monis Rahman, CEO & Founder Naseeb Networks, Asif Peer, CEO Systems Limited, Ehsan Saya, Managing Director Daraz.pk and Jawad Khan, CEO PSDF.

In a monumental step, Pakistan has been featured in the ‘Future of Jobs’ Report by the World Economic Forum (WEF) for the first time. The Pakistan Chapter showcases jobs and skills of the future, highlighting Pakistani employers’ perspective on new job roles and skills that require attention and investment in Pakistan in the age of technology and automation. In its 2020 edition, the Report features in-depth information on 15 global industries and 26 advanced and emerging countries.

Punjab Skills Development Fund (PSDF) serves as the secretariat for WEF’s (National Accelerator on Closing the Skills Gap in Pakistan – ‘Parwaaz’). Parwaaz brought Pakistan into the global conversation on skills and the future of work by facilitating an extensive employers’ based survey conducted with over 50 top Pakistani companies and business leaders across 6 priority sectors. The profile on Pakistan provides a detailed snapshot of the future readiness of the workforce in the country.

The Report also features CEO PSDF, Jawad Khan as a Global Expert on the World Economic Forum’s Global Future Council on New Agenda on Education & Work.

The Report insights reveal that in Pakistan, of the over 82 Million working age population, 50% on average have requisite digital skills, 51% have business relevant skills, and almost 55% have acquired education with business relevance. While this looks promising for an emerging country, large challenges remain with 31% youth not featured in employment, education, or training, and 55% of working age population in vulnerable employment.

The results of the Pakistan survey do however have room for ‘measured optimism’; technology adoption specially in the areas of E-commerce, Big Data Analytics and Cloud Computing is high (91% of the companies surveyed).

Pakistani companies are focusing on cultivating employability skills in the domain of Problem Solving, Critical Thinking, Creativity and Leadership, in tandem with emerging skills in the global market.

The ‘Future of Jobs’ Report highlights the unique economic challenges brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic, while technology driven job creation still surpassing job redundancy over the next five years, the rate of growth in the jobs of tomorrow is reducing.

This results in a ‘renewed urgency’ to take proactive decisions towards reskilling and upskilling youth workforce.  In the absence of proactive efforts, job market inequality is likely to worsen due to the combined effect of technology and the pandemic recession.

The need of the hour is then public-private collaboration at the global and national level, at an unprecedented scale and speed to create socio-economic systems that are more fair, equitable and sustainable.

About PSDF – A Success Story of Public-Private Partnerships:

PSDF is the largest skills development fund in Pakistan for the youth. It plays a leadership role in skills training by collaborating with over 500+training partners, including 200+ businesses across 10 sectors. PSDF delivers training in 2,400+ locations and 40% of its beneficiaries are women. PSDF also leads the National Accelerator on Closing the Skills Gap in Pakistan in partnership with the World Economic Forum.

PSDF – Media Enquiries

Communications Team:
Punjab Skills Development Fund (PSDF),
Contact: +92-42-35752408-10
E-mail: communications@psdf.org.pk

Follow PSDF on Social Media

Website: www.psdf.org.pk
LinkedIn: Punjab Skills Development Fund (PSDF)
Facebook:/punjabskillsdevelopmentfund
Twitter: @PSDF_official
YouTube: /punjabskillsdevelopmentfund

About Parwaaz – National Accelerator on Closing the Skills Gap in Pakistan:

Parwaaz is the National Accelerator on closing the skills gap in Pakistan setup in collaboration with World Economic Forum. With the guidance of the most influential public and private sector leaders, it is developing reskilling, upskilling and newskilling plans for the current and future workforce of Pakistan.

Follow Parwaaz on Social Media

Website: www.parwaaz.com
LinkedIn: Parwaaz-FutureReady
Twitter: @Parwaaz_
YouTube: /Parwaaz-FutureReady

16 Nov
Press Release

Punjab Skills Development Fund (PSDF) and Careem partner to create income opportunities for underprivileged youth

Lahore – October 27, 2020: Punjab Skills Development Fund (PSDF) has partnered with Careem under its “Entrepreneurship on Wheels” programme’, with the objective of launching dedicated training for the latter’s rickshaw and delivery captains between September 2020 and July 2021. The training will be conducted by National Highway and Motorway Police (NHMP).

Under the programme, 800 rickshaw captains will receive training on road ethics, sign navigation usage, along with practical training on driving and mechanical skills. Eligible candidates who successfully complete two months of training will receive their driving licenses and be onboarded onto the Careem Super App. The captains will also be able to avail the option of renting a vehicle, if needed. PSDF will bear the cost of their training, examination and obtaining driving licenses, while Careem will provide a platform to cater with a means of earning.

Speaking about the partnership, Jawad Khan, CEO PSDF reiterated PSDF’s commitment to providing youth with income generation opportunities, despite the challenges brought forward by the Covid-19 pandemic. “The partnership with Careem is an example of how PSDF is innovating during this crisis and providing market relevant skills to youth in high-growth sectors. Our experience in the past has shown the efficacy of programs that comprises short bootcamp style training with a high practical component, and a laser focus on income generation”.

Zeeshan Hasib Baig, Chief Executive Officer and Country General Manager, Careem Pakistan commented on the partnership saying, “Careem is one of the biggest platforms in Pakistan which has provided employment opportunities by registering more than 500,000 captains in multiple verticals so far. By partnering with PSDF, we will continue to take this mission forward and make an impact across the country.”

While the pandemic has resulted in layoffs and stagnation in some sectors, e-commerce and online delivery has seen sustainable growth. PSDF’s partnership with Careem to train delivery riders leverages on this potential to provide unemployed and underprivileged youth with the opportunity to earn a sustainable income for themselves. The target is to train 650 such individuals in six districts of Punjab by June 2021.

About PSDF – A Success Story of Public-Private Partnerships:

PSDF is the largest skills development fund in Pakistan for the youth. It plays a leadership role in skills training by collaborating with over 500+training partners, including 200+ businesses across 10 sectors. PSDF delivers training in 2,400+ locations and 40% of its beneficiaries are women. PSDF also leads the National Accelerator on Closing the Skills Gap in Pakistan in partnership with the World Economic Forum.

PSDF – Media Enquiries

Communications Team:
Punjab Skills Development Fund (PSDF),
Contact: +92-42-35752408-10
E-mail: communications@psdf.org.pk

Follow PSDF on Social Media

Website: www.psdf.org.pk
LinkedIn: Punjab Skills Development Fund (PSDF)
Facebook:/punjabskillsdevelopmentfund
Twitter: @PSDF_official
YouTube: /punjabskillsdevelopmentfund

About Careem:
Careem is the internet platform for the greater Middle East region. A pioneer of the region’s ride-hailing economy, Careem is expanding services across its platform to become the region’s everyday Super App. Careem’s mission is to simplify and improve the lives of people and build an awesome organisation that inspires. Established in July 2012, Careem operates in over 100 cities across 13 countries and has created more than one million employment opportunities in the region. Careem became a wholly owned subsidiary of Uber Technologies, Inc. in January 2020. www.careem.com

Media Contact:

Madiha Javed Qureshi
Head of Communication
madiha.javed@careem.com

Nuzair A. Virani
Manager Communication
nuzair.virani@careem.com

10 Nov
Press Release

PSDF and Coursera launch free international online learning courses

LAHORE: 9 November, 2020 – PSDF, the largest skills development fund in Pakistan (funded by FCDO and the Government of Punjab), has partnered with Coursera, one of the world’s leading online learning platforms, to offer globally recognized courses, free of cost for our youth. The partnership was announced during Coursera CEO’s Global Keynote at the Coursera virtual conference.

While online learning is a relatively new phenomenon in Pakistan, amidst the current COVID-19 pandemic, interest and necessity have jointly dictated the shift to online learning particularly for school, colleges and universities. Internet penetration, growing cellular subscribers have facilitated the uptake of online learning, providing access to the world’s best education, and promoting inclusion in learning.

PSDF’s partnership with Coursera taps into this potential, offering a wide variety of courses in market relevant fields, and are particularly geared towards enhancing career advancement, increasing income avenues, and promoting self-employment.

The courses currently offered through PSDF, are 4-months long, and are in the fields of Digital Marketing (for learning SEO, Social Media Marketing and Marketing Analytics), IT (ranging from APP development to coding languages of JAVA & PYTHON), to Finance (Financial Accounting Fundamentals). Through PSDF, these courses will be offered free of cost to the youth that need them the most, with PSDF further incentivizing upskilling with a stipend of PKR 6,000 to be received upon completion of the course.

Every course on Coursera is taught by top instructors from 190 world-class universities and organizations (University of Virginia, UCDavis, Google, IBM etc.) with over 40+ Million learners till date. Learners can take advantage of learning at their own pace through on-demand video lectures, homework exercises, and community discussion forums. After completion of their respective courses, 85% Coursera learners reported gaining more confidence at work, and 87% reported improved team performance.

Speaking on occasion of the launch of the partnership, CEO PSDF, Mr. Jawad Khan expressed the importance of online learning for youth to gain marketable skills for the 21st century: “As we navigate our way out of the global Coronavirus pandemic, digital preparedness and online learning have become the need of the hour. PSDF has once again been ahead of the curve, bringing Coursera to Pakistan, on such a large scale, bringing world class learning opportunities to the homes of millions of Pakistani students and workers. We’re looking forward to taking this partnership ahead, to create real and tangible impact for our youth”.

Encouraging youth to take full advantage of the opportunity, Jeff Maggioncalda, CEO at Coursera said: “We’re really excited to be partnering with PSDF, the largest skills development fund in Pakistan, to empower the young men and women in Pakistan to develop their potential with online learning. The COVID-19 pandemic has harmed economies and livelihoods, but even as we work and learn from home, online learning has become more accessible and powerful than ever. Our partnership with PSDF provides the opportunity for everyone to access free training to upskill and give themselves an edge in the local and global labour markets.”

The PSDF and Coursera partnership has thus officially been launched and will be available for free for poor and vulnerable youth in the country. The courses are accessible through learn.psdf.org.pk. Seats are limited, so applicants are encouraged to apply as soon as possible to kickstart their career, upgrade their skills and discover new income avenues.

About PSDF – A Success Story of Public-Private Partnerships:
PSDF is the largest skills development fund in Pakistan set up by the Government of Punjab (GoPb) in collaboration with Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO).

It plays a leadership role in skills training by collaborating with over 500+ training partners, including 200+ businesses across 10 sectors. PSDF delivers trainings in 2,400+ locations and 40% of its beneficiaries are women. PSDF also leads the National Accelerator on Closing the Skills Gap in Pakistan in partnership with the World Economic Forum.

PSDF – Media Enquiries

Communications Team:
Punjab Skills Development Fund (PSDF),
Contact: +92-42-35752408-10
E-mail: communications@psdf.org.pk

Follow PSDF on Social Media

Website: www.psdf.org.pk
LinkedIn: Punjab Skills Development Fund (PSDF)
Facebook:/punjabskillsdevelopmentfund
Twitter: @PSDF_official
YouTube: /punjabskillsdevelopmentfund

29 Oct
Press Release

PSDF signs on 29 new Industry Partners to boost market-driven skills training

PSDF’s success lies in operating through an output-based model and partnering with industries to provide market relevant trainings that are directly linked to sustainable income opportunities.

PSDF’s Industrial Training Program (ITP) was formulated to attract businesses across all sectors, to train youth according to their skills needs. This way businesses have the advantage of training labour as per industry standards and youth have increased prospects of finding sustainable employment.

Through the Industrial Training Program (ITP), PSDF has partnered with 159 Industry partners till date, to help train over 55,000 youth across 24 districts.

In a contract signing ceremony this Friday (23rd October), continuing along the same path for growth and success, PSDF signed on 29 new industry partners for this year. These include major players from the food, automobile and textile industries that have joined hands with PSDF to help provide quality skills training to 4000+ youth across 16 districts, including Lahore, Faisalabad, Sialkot, Multan, Rawalpindi and Khanewal.

About PSDF – A Success Story of Public-Private Partnerships:
PSDF is the largest skills development fund in Pakistan set up by the Government of Punjab (GoPb) in collaboration with Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO).

It plays a leadership role in skills training by collaborating with over 500+ training partners, including 200+ businesses across 10 sectors. PSDF delivers trainings in 2,400+ locations and 40% of its beneficiaries are women. PSDF also leads the National Accelerator on Closing the Skills Gap in Pakistan in partnership with the World Economic Forum.

PSDF – Media Enquiries

Communications Team:
Punjab Skills Development Fund (PSDF),
Contact: +92-42-35752408-10
E-mail: communications@psdf.org.pk

Follow PSDF on Social Media

Website: www.psdf.org.pk
LinkedIn: Punjab Skills Development Fund (PSDF)
Facebook:/punjabskillsdevelopmentfund
Twitter: @PSDF_official
YouTube: /punjabskillsdevelopmentfund

06 Oct
Press Release

PSDF represents Pakistan as skills expert at the GSG Global Impact Summit 2020

11th September-2020: CEO Punjab Skills Development Fund (PSDF), Jawad Khan, spoke at the GSG Global Impact Summit 2020 in the session on ‘Upskilling the Unemployed’ to discuss the importance of impact investment in training and an outcome-based approach to re-skilling and up-skilling programmes targeting the vulnerable and unemployed.

The GSG Summit attracts changemakers from across the world, to work on a just and impact-led recovery that benefits all people and the planet. This year’s virtual summit focused on how to place impact at the heart of COVID-19 response and recovery and bring forward solutions that can help rally and re-build. The 3 day summit, spanning 9th to 11th September, brought forward influential speakers from 32 countries across the world, from the public and private sector, such as Achim Steiner, The Administrator of the UNDP, Emmanuel Faber, CEO at Danone, Jessica Alba, founder at The Honest Company and Ibukun Awosika, Chair at the First Bank of Nigeria.

The 2nd day of the Summit included the session on ‘Upskilling the Unemployed’ which looked at the adverse economic impact of Covid-19, and ideated on impact investment and outcome-based vehicles that could be promising to achieve scale and maximum social outcomes.

At the session, CEO PSDF, Jawad Khan joined as one of the prime speakers on global labour market trends and the challenges and opportunities brought forward by the Covid-19 pandemic, and focused on how ‘pay for success’ financing and schemes can help ensure a rapid and fair recovery. He further expanded on PSDF’s involvement in leading a number of cross-sector partnerships in the skilling space, such as the National Accelerator on closing the skills gap (Parwaaz), that identifies high-growth sectors and declining and emerging job roles, to skill, re-skill and upskill the current and future workforce.

Other speakers at the session included Annie Plancher, Vice President of Staff and Strategy at Social Finance US, Maha Keramane, Head of Microfinance and Social Entrepreneurship from BNP Paribas, and Dr. Swapan Bala, Professor at University of Dhaka.

About PSDF – A Success Story of Public-Private Partnerships:
PSDF is the largest skills development fund in Pakistan set up by the Government of Punjab (GoPb) in collaboration with Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO).

It plays a leadership role in skills training by collaborating with over 500+ training partners, including 200+ businesses across 10 sectors. PSDF delivers trainings in 2,400+ locations and 40% of its beneficiaries are women. PSDF also leads the National Accelerator on Closing the Skills Gap in Pakistan in partnership with the World Economic Forum.

PSDF – Media Enquiries

Communications Team:
Punjab Skills Development Fund (PSDF),
Contact: +92-42-35752408-10
E-mail: communications@psdf.org.pk

Follow PSDF on Social Media

Website: www.psdf.org.pk
LinkedIn: Punjab Skills Development Fund (PSDF)
Facebook:/punjabskillsdevelopmentfund
Twitter: @PSDF_official
YouTube: /punjabskillsdevelopmentfund

05 Aug
Press Release

PSDF and Extreme Commerce launch online training for women as Amazon Virtual Assistants

LAHORE: 24 July, 2020 – Punjab Skills Development Fund (PSDF) has partnered with Extreme Commerce to launch an online training program for women to acquire skills as Amazon Virtual Assistants. The program will enable women to earn and be self-employed, while working remotely, during the current pandemic.

The Covid-19 pandemic is an unprecedented crisis, and Pakistan is no exception. The adverse economic impact of the pandemic has affected people worldwide, particularly women in underdeveloped and developing countries. While there are widespread layoffs and unemployment, PSDF has been trying to establish new avenues and opportunities for sustainable employment.

The Amazon Virtual Assistants online training program launched by PSDF and Extreme Commerce is one such initiative that works by enabling women in Pakistan to assist sellers on the Amazon platform. The ‘Virtual Assistant’ is an independent contractor who provides administrative services to clients while operating outside of the client’s office. From the broader perspective, the role is multi- scope in areas of interest such as administrative, social media, real estate, research, e-commerce, data entry, book-keeping, and marketing.

The training model is online and home-based, teaching women relevant skills ranging from Online Communication, Customer Service, and E-commerce landscape, to Amazon Product Research Tools, creating Listings and Order management,. This training by PSDF and Extreme Commerce spans 2.5 months, with the last leg focused on establishing market linkages. In the pilot of this program, the target is to train 100 females to become Amazon Virtual Assistants.

The program is advantageous in offering women a remote working opportunity, and the chance to become digital entrepreneurs while earning a sustainable income. Moreover, the program is also beneficial in training women in useful, transferable skills, which they can utilize to work as freelancers on Upwork or Fiverr.

Speaking about the venture, Jawad Khan, CEO PSDF said, “Our focus during this pandemic has been to take the initiative to provide sustainable income generation opportunities, particularly for women hardest hit by the pandemic. Loss of jobs and conventional means of earning have meant that we have had to look at new and creative solutions to provide training and income opportunities, this venture is a prime example of our impetus to do just that”.

Sunny Ali, CEO, Extreme Commerce, said, “we are extremely happy to partner with the Punjab Skills Development Fund (PSDF) in a noble-gesture that will enable unemployed women to acquire online skills on the Amazon platform. We hope this joint-venture will commence an era of home-based online business activity for women”.

About PSDF – A Success Story of Public-Private Partnerships:
PSDF is the largest skills development fund in Pakistan for the youth. It plays a leadership role in skills training by collaborating with over 500 training partners, including 200 businesses across 10 sectors. PSDF delivers trainings in 2,400+ locations and 40% of its beneficiaries are women. PSDF also leads the National Accelerator for Closing the Skills Gap in Pakistan in partnership with the World Economic Forum.

ABOUT Extreme Commerce
Extreme Commerce is providing its valued customers the professional training for running and managing an ecommerce business. It understands the value of a customer’s money and the time invested in building a business based on ecommerce platform; hence the Company offers a complete training program that will ensure the ecommerce business has a smooth and profitable run. Extreme Commerce has a fully trained staff with vast experiences under their belt and geared with the expertise of modern business world, who will teach the right ways through which one can operate a successful ecommerce business.

PSDF – Media Enquiries

Communications Team:
Punjab Skills Development Fund (PSDF),
Contact: +92-42-35752408-10
E-mail: communications@psdf.org.pk

Follow PSDF on Social Media

Website: www.psdf.org.pk
LinkedIn: Punjab Skills Development Fund (PSDF)
Facebook:/punjabskillsdevelopmentfund
Twitter: @PSDF_official
YouTube: /punjabskillsdevelopmentfund

11 Apr
Press Release

Punjab Skills Development Fund (PSDF) and Gnowbe to offer free Online COVID-19 ‘Infection Prevention & Control’ course in Pakistan

LAHORE: 7th April 2020 – PSDF and international platform Gnowbe have partnered to offer a Free online course “Stay Protected with Infection Control and Prevention 101 Program” for the general public in Pakistan to understand the nature of the virus and its transmission, and protect themselves during the Covid-19 pandemic.

The free 30-minute course offered by Singapore’s leading Ngee Ann Polytechnic, uses Gnowbe’s e- learning platform to provide necessary information that can help curtail the rapid spread of infectious diseases such as Covid-19 As part of the recently signed Memorandum of Understanding between the two organizations. PSDF has created an Urdu version of the course to make it accessible to the broader public.

While the course is open and free to the general public, it is especially recommended for individuals working on the frontline like the Prime Minister’s Tiger Force, field volunteers providing food and critical services, bank employees, law enforcement officers and people living in close quarters where the disease has the highest chances of spreading.

To impart necessary knowledge and information in an engaging manner, the course utilizes a combination of informative videos, tutorials and quizzes to educate the public. Course material comprises of two main topics: Infection Transmission (that details the chain of infection and transmission of diseases) and Infection Prevention (that consists of sessions on prevention by hand hygiene and wearing Personal Protective Equipment). Those who complete the course successfully will receive an international certification from Ngee Ann Polytechnic, School of Health Sciences, Singapore.

Speaking on the partnership with Gnowbe, Mr. Jawad Khan, CEO PSDF commented, “we are delighted to be partnering with a forward-thinking global organization to offer this course in Pakistan at this crucial time. PSDF is playing its part by leading from the front in providing the necessary information on prevention and control on the COVID-19 pandemic.”

In Singapore, Gnowbe has already been using the platform to provide the course ‘Stay Protected with Infection Control and Prevention 101’ free of charge to the general public in 8 languages including Mandarin, Arabic, Malay and German. The partnership with PSDF will add Urdu to the menu as well.

If you are interested in taking the course, use the following links to access it, free of charge:

In Urdu: https://gnow.be/seykj3?s=1
In English: https://learn.gnowbe.com/infection-prevention-control-101

Urdu Preview: Click Here

About PSDF – A Success Story of Public-Private Partnerships:

PSDF is the largest skills development fund in Pakistan for the youth. It plays a leadership role in skills training by collaborating with over 500 training partners, including 200 businesses across 10 sectors. PSDF delivers trainings in 2,400+ locations and 40% of its beneficiaries are women. PSDF also leads the National Accelerator for Closing the Skills Gap in Pakistan in partnership with the World Economic Forum.

PSDF – Media Enquiries

Communications Team:
Punjab Skills Development Fund (PSDF),
Contact: +92-42-35752408-10
E-mail: communications@psdf.org.pk

Follow PSDF on Social Media

Website: www.psdf.org.pk
LinkedIn: Punjab Skills Development Fund (PSDF)
Facebook:/punjabskillsdevelopmentfund
Twitter: @PSDF_official
YouTube: /punjabskillsdevelopmentfund

About Gnowbe:
GnowBe is a pioneering mobile-first learning and engagement platform, designed to amplify your learning journey by curating leading content, and transforming them into micro actions. The organization is all about Learn. Think. Apply. Share. Learn new concepts. Think and reflect on what it means to a person and how to apply the principles into small actions every day; sharing with peers is part of the learning journey.

12345