PM Skills Impact Bond
PM Skills Impact Bond: The government of Pakistan has taken a revolutionary step to make the youth employable and equip them with modern skills. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has approved the country’s first “Skills Impact Bond”, under which thousands of youth will not only be provided with technical training but will also be linked to employment.
What is this Skills Impact bond?
Skills Impact Bond is a financial model that promotes results-based investment. In this, investors get paid only when the set goals — such as completing training or getting a job are achieved. This brings transparency in government funding, and resources are spent only on projects that really yield results.
New opportunities for youth
The main objective of this program is to teach youth skills that are useful in the local and global market. Under this project:
- About 15 to 20 thousand youth will be trained.
- The scheme aims to provide employment opportunities to about 40,000 youth.
- 50 percent of them will be women, so that women also have equal opportunities.
- After completing the training, they will be provided with assistance in finding employment.
Government Priority
The Prime Minister has made it clear that he will personally monitor the project every two months to ensure its transparency and effectiveness. Along with this, training in relevant languages will also be provided to the youth to take advantage of job opportunities abroad.
Use of Digital Platform
A special digital youth portal has also been activated for the youth, where:
- Lakhs of youth have been registered.
- Hundreds of companies have listed job opportunities.
- Thousands of scholarships and foreign employment offers are available.
Private and public sector collaboration
The project has been launched with the participation of the government as well as international partners such as the British Asian Trust and the Punjab Skills Development Fund (PSDF). These institutions are not only providing financial support but are also playing a role in improving the quality of training.
Punjab Government Support
The Punjab government has invested about Rs 26 billion in the budget for the financial year 2025-26 to provide training and business opportunities to the youth. Under this, the CM Skilled Punjab program was launched in collaboration with PSDF, TEVTA, and other institutions, in which special emphasis has been placed on skill and business development.
Funding system: “Pay-for-Success” model
The scheme operates on a “Pay-for-Success” model, whereby public or donor funds are released only after independently verified results, such as providing employment or meeting specific income targets.
Impact of the project on the future direction
This initiative marks the beginning of a new era for the youth in Pakistan. This skills-based project will not only reduce unemployment but also boost the country’s economy. If successful, it could become a model for other developing countries.