DigiSkills 3.0 Launches With 3 Million Free Digital Training Spots – Sign Up Now!
DigiSkills 3.0 Launched After Delay, Aims to Offer 3 Million Free Digital Trainings
After a year-long delay, Pakistan’s largest digital skills initiative, DigiSkills, has officially launched its third phase, DigiSkills 3.0. Spearheaded by the Ignite National Technology Fund, the program is set to provide 3 million free training opportunities to youth across Pakistan over the next 3.5 years. The first batch of courses will commence on August 1.
New Phase Brings Upgraded and Expanded Course Offerings
In this new phase, DigiSkills will continue to offer its 15 existing courses, which cover a wide range of digital skills including Freelancing, Digital Marketing, Graphic Design, SEO, WordPress, and Creative Writing. However, the program also introduces 10 new high-demand courses to meet the growing needs of the digital economy. Among the new offerings are Artificial Intelligence, UI/UX Design, and Mobile App Development. Additionally, all previously available courses have been upgraded to align with the evolving demands of international freelance markets.
300,000 Seats Available for Batch 1 Enrollment
Enrollment for the first batch of DigiSkills 3.0 is now open, with 300,000 seats available on a first-come, first-served basis. DigiSkills management has emphasized that once the 300,000 seat limit is reached, no additional seats will be offered, urging potential trainees to register quickly.
DigiSkills’ Journey So Far
DigiSkills was initially launched in August 2018 by the Ministry of IT and Telecom, with the Virtual University of Pakistan acting as its implementing partner. The first two phases of the program have already trained over 4.5 million individuals. However, the delay in launching Phase 3.0 attracted significant criticism, particularly during a National Assembly Standing Committee on IT meeting in May 2025.
The committee, chaired by Syed Amin Ul Haque, expressed concerns over the one-year delay, describing it as a missed opportunity, especially given the rapid development of technologies such as AI. Ignite officials acknowledged the delay but defended the decision, stating that it was necessary to overhaul the program and make it more relevant to current market demands.
The Reasons Behind the Delay
The delay in launching DigiSkills 3.0 stemmed from a prolonged period of stagnation, which was attributed to the non-appointment of a new CEO at Ignite and the Board of Directors’ failure to convene meetings. The board finally met last month and approved several pending projects, including the launch of DigiSkills 3.0. Ignite officials also highlighted that the hiatus provided an opportunity to revamp the program’s curriculum and ensure it remained in line with global technological trends.
A Step Towards Empowering Pakistan’s Youth
With the launch of DigiSkills 3.0, Pakistan aims to empower its youth with the digital skills necessary to compete in the global job market. The program’s free training courses are expected to provide valuable opportunities for millions of young individuals looking to develop skills in some of the most in-demand sectors.
