At the special direction of the Chief Minister of Punjab, Maryam Nawaz Sharif, the Punjab Skills Development Fund (PSDF) has announced fully free advanced tech courses.
Under this program, more than 12 highly paid tech courses will be taught to participants at no cost, and a certificate will be issued upon completion.
In this article, we will cover which courses are being offered, how you can apply, and all the important details related to this opportunity.
Contents
About the Program
The official website of PSDF carries the Punjab Skill Development logo at the top. Below it, the page states that the Government of Punjab and the Punjab Skills Development Fund have launched a completely free Advance Tech and Advance Skills Program.
These advance tech courses are being offered under the Maryam Nawaz Hunarmand Naujawan Program.
List of Free Advance Tech Courses
More than 12 high-demand courses are being offered completely free of cost. These include:
- Artificial Intelligence (AI): Learning AI is important in today’s world, as it allows you to automate work from home and generate income in dollars.
- Data Science
- Blockchain
- Cloud Computing
- Mobile App Development: You can build mobile apps, publish them on the Google Play Store, and generate income in dollars.
- Internet of Things (IoT)
- Emerging Web Technologies
- Unity Game Development: You will be taught how games are developed.
- AI-Led Digital Marketing: This will teach you digital marketing skills that can later be used for e-commerce, selling your own or other people’s products, or building your own agency.
- Advanced Python Development
- Other emerging technologies, based on current market demand
These are highly demanded courses, and all of them will be taught completely free of charge.
Will the Training Be Online or On-Campus?
This is a blended learning program, meaning it is a mix of both online and on-campus learning. Part of the training will be completed online from home, while another part will require visiting the institute physically.
So the course is neither fully online nor fully on-campus; whichever part requires physical presence will need to be completed by visiting the institute.
Who Will Teach These Courses?
The mentors for these courses will be people who are experts in the tech industry. Since this program is being run by the Government of Punjab on the directions of the Chief Minister, qualified experts from the relevant fields will be provided so that participants can learn the courses properly.
Course Duration and Certification
The course duration is three months, with daily classes lasting two to three hours. Once you complete the course, you will receive a global certification that is internationally recognized. This certificate will be provided in collaboration with Google, AWS, and Microsoft.
Job and Freelancing Support
After completing the course and receiving the certificate, a support desk will also help you with job placement or freelancing. PSDF’s target is to provide jobs to 70% of trainees within six months, either through freelancing or through job placements in relevant departments.
Eligibility Criteria
To apply for this program, you need to meet the following criteria:
- Both men and women can apply.
- You must be a resident of Punjab and hold a Punjab domicile.
- Your age should be between 18 and 40 years.
- You must have completed a minimum of 14 years of education, such as BA, BSc, or ADP, in any subject.
How to Apply Online – Step by Step
- Open any browser on your device.
- In the search bar, type “Advance Tech PSDF.”
- Open the first website that appears in the search results.
- On the website, click the “Enroll Now” button.
- Under Basic Information, fill in your name as mentioned on your CNIC.
- Enter your father’s name.
- Enter your email address.
- Select your gender (male or female).
- Enter your CNIC number.
- Enter your CNIC issue date, then click “Next Step.”
- Choose your district from the list of all districts in Punjab (for example, Lahore).
- Choose your tehsil (for example, Lahore City).
- Enter the address mentioned on your CNIC.
- Enter your date of birth.
- Enter your age.
- Select your professional status, indicating whether you are currently working or not.
- Enter your years of experience, if any, in a relevant field.
- Enter your years of education. A minimum of 14 years is required. If you have done an MA, this would be 16 years; if you have done an MPhil or PhD, you can select 16+ years.
- Mention whether your education level is 14 years or 16 years.
- Mention the university or institute from which you completed your education, along with your area of specialization (for example, Chemistry, Computer Science, etc. – there is no restriction on the subject).
- Provide your phone number.
- Choose the trade or course you want to enroll in, such as Data Science, Internet of Things, or Mobile Development.
- Upload a professional CV.
- Upload your CNIC.
- Agree to the terms, then click the “Submit Application” button.
Once you complete these steps, your application will be submitted online from your mobile phone or computer.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the training duration?
The course duration is three months, with daily classes of two to three hours.
Will the training be online or on-campus?
It is a mixed/blended training, combining both online and on-campus components.
Will trainees receive any certification?
Yes, trainees will receive an internationally recognized certificate provided in collaboration with Google, AWS, and Microsoft.
Will trainees get job opportunities after completing the course?
PSDF aims to provide job opportunities to 70% of trainees within six months, either through freelancing or through placements in relevant departments.
Is this program open to females as well?
Yes, females can also apply. A 40% quota has been reserved for women.
How many trainees will be trained under this program?
A total of 7,500 trainees will be trained under this program from across Punjab. Both men and women with at least 14 years of education can apply, and the entire target will be completed in batches over a period of two to two and a half years.
Conclusion
This is a great opportunity for the youth of Punjab to learn high-demand tech skills like Artificial Intelligence, Data Science, Mobile App Development, and Digital Marketing completely free of cost, along with an internationally recognized certificate and support for jobs or freelancing. If you meet the eligibility criteria, you can apply online by following the steps mentioned above.
