The Pakistan Software Export Board has opened applications for the second batch of its SkillBridge Apprenticeship Program, an initiative launched under the Prime Minister’s Skill Tech Initiative that is designed to bridge the gap between academic qualifications and the practical, hands-on experience that Pakistan’s technology industry demands. The program offers Information Technology graduates the opportunity to work alongside top Information Technology and Information Technology-enabled services companies, converting their degrees into real-world industry exposure while receiving a fully government-funded monthly stipend of PKR 30,000. With the last date to apply set for March 18, 2026, the program is being positioned as an accessible and financially supported pathway for recent graduates who are seeking to enter the competitive technology job market with meaningful professional experience already behind them.
The initiative is being driven by the Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication in collaboration with Pakistan Software Export Board, reflecting the government’s broader commitment to developing a pipeline of skilled, work-ready technology professionals who can contribute to Pakistan’s growing digital economy and support the country’s ambitions to scale its information technology exports. By placing graduates directly within established technology companies, the program moves beyond classroom instruction and conventional training modules to offer participants a structured apprenticeship environment where they can acquire in-demand technical skills, develop professional networks, and demonstrate their capabilities to potential long-term employers. The fully funded stipend removes a significant financial barrier that often discourages graduates from pursuing unpaid or low-compensation internships, making the SkillBridge program particularly valuable for individuals from middle- and lower-income backgrounds who cannot afford to work without compensation during their transition into the workforce.
The launch of Batch 2 follows the completion of the program’s first cohort and signals Pakistan Software Export Board’s intent to scale the initiative and expand its reach across a wider pool of Information Technology graduates nationwide. The program sits within the broader framework of Tech Destination Pakistan, the government’s overarching brand for positioning Pakistan as a competitive hub for technology talent, investment, and export growth. For graduates who have completed their degrees but find themselves caught between the requirement for experience demanded by employers and the difficulty of obtaining that experience without first securing a job, programs like SkillBridge represent a practical and direct intervention. Interested candidates can apply before the March 18, 2026 deadline by visiting www.skills.techdestination.com/register and submitting their applications for consideration in Batch 2 of the program.
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