LAHORE: In its perseverance to promote quality vocational skills development, PSDF launched its new scheme, Skills for Employability 2015, to fund training of more than 16,000 individuals in various employment-oriented trades. Contracts worth 730 million were awarded to 79 training service providers in a launching ceremony here at a local hotel. The scheme would target individuals belonging to the 14 target districts - Bahawalpur, Bahawalnagar, Rahim Yar Khan, Khanewal, Lodhran & Vehari, Muzaffargarh, Chiniot, Faisalabad, Gujranwala, Narowal, Lahore, Sheikhupura and Sargodha, in order to equip them with various need-based skills. While addressing the media, COO PSDF, Mr. Ali Akbar Bosan said that PSDF successfully trained more than 86,000 individuals since its inception. The scheme is another round of one of PSDF’s major training schemes, Skills for Employability, under which individuals will be imparted technical and vocational skills that are demanded by local industry. Mr. Bosan expressed his gratitude for the Government of the Punjab and Department for International Development UK (DFID) for patronizing the promotion of quality skills development in the province. He further said that PSDF is rigorously pursuing to enhance the role of local industry in the development of relevant skilled manpower for the country. Under Skills for Employability 2015, trainings will be imparted in diverse trade groups ranging from agriculture, automobile, hospitality, information technology and footwear. Through its all training schemes, PSDF will achieve its target to fund training of 135,000 individuals from the fourteen target districts of Punjab. Punjab Skills development Fund (PSDF) is a section 42 company, established by the Government of the Punjab in collaboration with the Department for International Development (DFID), UK. PSDF funds vocational training organizations for providing vocational and skills training to the poor and the vulnerable populations of fourteen districts of South Punjab – Bahawalpur, Lodhran, Muzaffargarh, Bahawalnagar, Vehari, Khaewal, Rahim Yar Khan, Lahore, Sargodha, Gujranwala, Faisalabad, Chiniot, Narowal and Sheikhupura. Until now, PSDF has funded trainings of more than 86,000 men and women from its target districts of the Punjab under its various schemes for skill development. For any other query, please contact Mr. Usman Khan, Assistant Manager Communications Cell # 0321 – 4120589