One million people have been trained in freelancing under the National Level Training Program (DigiSkills.pk) launched by the Ministry of Information Technology & Telecommunication through the Ignite National Technology Fund.
On the directions of the Federal Minister for IT and Telecommunication, the Federal Secretary Ministry of IT Shoaib Ahmad Siddiqui was briefed on the successful execution of the program by Dr. Zafar Alvi, Project Director DSTP (DigiSkills Training Project) through a video link on Wednesday.
The DigiSkills Training Project (DSTP) was awarded to the Virtual University of Pakistan through an open tender based upon its 15 years of demonstrated expertise in online distance learning.
CEO Ignite Syed Junaid Imam and Rector Virtual University Naeem Tariq were also present on the occasion.
The Project Director apprised the Secretary IT & Telecom that in its 30-month span the project aimed to impart training to 1 million people in 7 batches, with each batch trained for 12 weeks. However, the target of imparting free online training was achieved in the 6th batch. Two hundred and fifty thousand course enrolments have already been made for the 7th batch that will start on 27th May 2020, thereby exceeding the target by 0.25 million target by August 2020.
Secretary IT said that DigiSkills Training Program provided an excellent opportunity for the youth to earn valuable foreign exchange during the lockdown period.
He lauded the efforts of the Ignite, Virtual University, and the marketing and monitoring teams for achieving the target before time.
A National Level Training Program (DigiSkills.pk) launched by the Ministry of Information Technology & Telecommunication through Ignite National Technology Fund has been providing free of cost training in freelancing and other marketable skills to youth. The program comprises 10 courses including Freelancing, Digital Marketing, Search Engine Optimization, Graphic Design, Digital Literacy, e-Commerce Management, Creative Writing, QuickBooks, AutoCAD, and WordPress.