The Ignite National Technology Fund has officially launched the third phase of Pakistan’s largest digital skills development initiative, DigiSkills 3.0. After a delay of over a year, the program is set to resume operations with a goal of providing free training to 3 million individuals over the next 3.5 years. The first batch of courses will begin on August 1.
Expanded Curriculum with New In-Demand Courses
In this latest phase, DigiSkills will not only continue offering its 15 popular existing courses—including Freelancing, Digital Marketing, SEO, WordPress, Creative Writing, and Graphic Design—but will also introduce 10 brand-new courses aligned with international market demands. Some of the new additions include Artificial Intelligence, UI/UX Design, and Mobile App Development. All previous courses have also been revised and updated to reflect the latest industry standards.
Enrollment Now Open with Limited Seats
Enrollment for the first batch of DigiSkills 3.0 is currently open. A total of 300,000 seats are available on a first-come, first-served basis. The DigiSkills team has emphasized that once all seats are filled, no further enrollments will be accepted for this batch. Interested individuals are urged to sign up as soon as possible to secure their slot.
History and Impact of DigiSkills
Launched initially in August 2018, DigiSkills is a collaborative effort between the Ministry of IT and Telecom and Ignite, with the Virtual University of Pakistan serving as the implementation partner. During its first two phases, the program trained more than 4.5 million individuals. It has been recognized as one of the most effective government initiatives for digital literacy and freelance employment in Pakistan.
Delay Sparked Criticism and Missed Opportunities
The one-year delay in launching Phase 3.0 sparked significant criticism, particularly during a session of the National Assembly Standing Committee on IT in May 2025. The committee, chaired by Syed Amin Ul Haque, described the delay as a missed opportunity, especially at a time when skills like Artificial Intelligence are becoming increasingly vital.
Reasons Behind the Delay
The primary causes behind the program’s delay included the absence of a permanent CEO at Ignite and the failure of the Board of Directors—led by the federal IT secretary—to conduct necessary meetings. It wasn’t until the board met last month that DigiSkills 3.0 and several other pending projects were finally approved. According to Ignite officials, the delay allowed them to update and modernize the program’s curriculum to better meet global standards.
A Step Toward a Digitally Skilled Pakistan
DigiSkills 3.0 is expected to play a crucial role in strengthening Pakistan’s freelance economy and digital ecosystem. By equipping the youth with high-demand skills, the program will not only reduce unemployment but also increase the country’s potential to earn through international freelance platforms.
This new phase comes at a time when the government is also exploring additional workforce development initiatives. For example, the Pakistan Engineering Council aims to train 45,000 AI engineers in the next three years. Additionally, the Prime Minister recently approved Pakistan’s first Skills Impact Bond to improve youth employability.
With updated courses, 10 new offerings, and 3 million free training opportunities planned, DigiSkills 3.0 marks a significant step forward in Pakistan’s digital future. Enrollments for the first batch are open now, with limited seats available. Youth across the country are encouraged to register immediately and take advantage of this valuable opportunity to gain industry-relevant skills for free.
