DigiSkills.pk have imparted over 2 million free trainings across Pakistan since 2018. Based on the popularity and success of its first phase, MoITT launched its second phase on the 27th of December 2021, which will also be executed by Virtual University.
A grand ceremony was organized at the secretariat of MoITT to inaugurate DigiSkills 2.0. Federal Minister MoITT Syed Amin Ul Haque was the chief guest of the ceremony. Federal secretary MoITT Dr. Muhammad Sohail Rajput was the guest of honor. Rector, Virtual University Dr. Arshad Saleem Bhatti along with CEO Ignite Asim Shahryar Husain graced the event as special guests.
Speaking on the occasion Federal Minister Syed Amin Ul Haque said that Government is keen to empower youth with the latest skills. It is our utmost priority to strengthen the economy by building skilled youth.
Federal secretary MoITT Dr. Muhammad Sohail Rajput said that DigiSkills empowers youth without the boundaries of gender. The online freelance work will enable the stay-at-home mothers, the physically challenged men and women who cannot go for the site-specific, time-bound 9-5 jobs.
While giving the briefing, Rector Virtual University, Dr. Arshad Saleem Bhatti said that in the second phase, DigiSkills is targeting to impart 1,500,000 trainings over the period of two years. As per the needs of the freelance market, five new courses will be added along with the previous 10 courses, which will also be updated with the growing dynamics of the related fields. The Rector also added that the Virtual University is transforming its academic programs into skill-based degrees and taking full advantage of the experience of the DigiSkills 1.0 program.
Project Director DSTP, Dr. Zafar Alvi added that during the first phase DigiSkills got total enrollments of 2,232,801 from more than 300 cities of Pakistan and from abroad. Out of which 74% (1,653,400) were males and 26% (579,281) were females. Most of these trainees were Pakistani youth (70%) and the majority (60%) of these were students who have completed Intermediate or Bachelors. Graphic Design was the most popular course among offered courses.
The new five courses will include Video Editing, Animation & Vlogging, Affiliate Marketing, Data Analytics & Business Intelligence, Communication & Soft Skills, and Virtual Assistant.
CEO Ignite Asim Shahryar Husain briefed, it is expected that just like the 1st phase, the second phase of DigiSkills will also contribute to the gig economy of the country. DigiSkills.pk will also help to cater long-term psychological effects like minimizing frustration among the unemployed youth.