DLP Report
PESHAWAR
The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Rural Economic Transformation Project (KP-RETP) organized an industry seminar on “Job Placement and Employment Promotion” to strengthen collaboration between the provincial government and the private sector, particularly industries and small and medium enterprises (SMEs), for expanding employment opportunities for skilled youth in the province.
KP-RETP is a flagship initiative of the KP government, implemented in partnership with the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD). The project aims to reduce rural poverty, enhance food and nutrition security, and improve household resilience by increasing incomes through climate-resilient agriculture and diversified off-farm and non-farm employment, with a special focus on youth and women.
The seminar was held under Component-II (Skill Development and Employment Promotion) of KP-RETP, which focuses on improving employability, entrepreneurship and workforce integration of rural youth, women, men and transgender individuals through market-driven skills training, self-employment support and structured job placement in collaboration with industry and SMEs.
Participants were briefed on the Job Placement Initiative, which offers paid internship opportunities of up to 12 months for skilled and certified youth. The initiative is designed to enhance practical exposure, workplace readiness and employability, while addressing skills mismatches through effective public-private partnerships.
Under the initiative, each internee will receive a monthly stipend of Rs15,000 from KP-RETP, while host industries will provide in-kind support equivalent to Rs5,000 per month in the form of mentorship and structured on-the-job training.
Addressing the seminar, Project Director KP-RETP Amjad Meraj highlighted the project’s objectives and urged industrialists and SMEs to partner with KP-RETP in transforming skilled youth into a productive workforce, with an emphasis on inclusivity, sustainability and long-term socio-economic impact.
Managing Director KP-TEVTA Malik Mansoor briefed participants on the industry application and participation process, including submission of Expressions of Interest through the KP-TEVTA digital portal.
He outlined the roles and responsibilities of participating industries, selection criteria, compliance requirements and the importance of transparent and efficient systems for successful implementation of the internship program.
President of the Women Chamber of Commerce Qurat-ul-Ain, along with representatives from the Directorate of Industries Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, also briefed participants on the internship framework in line with relevant provincial laws and policies, detailing procedural steps and stakeholder responsibilities.
The seminar concluded with a joint commitment by public and private sector stakeholders to promote decent employment, effective utilization of skills and inclusive economic growth in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa through strengthened public-private partnerships.
