PESHAWAR: The inauguration ceremony of the DECODE program, Women and Youth E-commerce and Digital Skills Training Programme, an initiative in digital skills training was held today at NIC Peshawar, marking a significant step in empowering over 200 young individuals from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Funded by Sustainable Energy and Economic Development (SEED) initiative through Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) and managed by Adam Smith International, DECODE aims to revolutionize digital empowerment for youth and women.
The program is a collaborative venture of Change Mechanics Pvt Ltd and LMKT Pvt Ltd. Both of the organizations are serving as the ground implementing partners. The pilot project is dedicated to equipping participants with the skills necessary to capitalize on opportunities in the freelance and e-commerce sectors. This initiative is not just about imparting skills but also enhancing employability and fostering sustainable economic growth in the region. The aim is to provide participants particularly KP women and youth with the digital skills and knowledge necessary for a profitable & sustainable source of income.
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The event was attended by diverse group of eminent participants representing academia, industry, government and the development sector. Mr. Asim Ishaq Khan, Director NIC, emphasized the importance of innovative digital skills including the ever so growing demand for e-commerce and online freelancing income generation. He stressed the need for bridging the gap between the academia and the industry with the most innovative and constructive approaches. The KP province being the fastest growing in terms of population growth is the hub of young graduates & nomad entrepreneurs. Mr. Sayyed Ahmad Masud, CEO Change Mechanics Pvt Ltd, highlighted that the purpose of these training is not limited to the training period alone but also in practical the impact it provides in the employment opportunities and income generation for the trainees afterwards. Mr. Taimur Khan, Institutional Development Advisor SEED (Adam Smith Intl, specifically pointed out the inclusion of women of KP in the program to tailor the program components to the maximum to their needs. Mr. Abu Bakr Alvi sb emphasised the need of learning new technologies and update their skills with the fast growing world. Mr. Usman Arshad Khan, Lead Consultant E-Commerce while addressing through media link emphasized the students to take this as the opportunity to generate success stories and try to transform themselves into successful entrepreneurs by taking these trainings. Dr. Akif Khan, Director Technical KP IT Board iterated that way forward is by training youth especially women in KP in different IT and innovative digital skills to provide them with real time sustainable sources of income generation.
The DECODE program will offer specialized training in key areas such as Cloud Computing, Data Analytics, App Development, and E-commerce. It promises a comprehensive curriculum designed in consultation with industry experts, ensuring relevance and practicality.
The training will be conducted physically in Peshawar and Abbottabad, with options for a hybrid model to cater to diverse needs. The program also prioritizes the emphasis on the participation of women, ensuring that the training modalities align with their specific requirements.
The event concluded with a vote of thanks from the CEO Change Mechanics to all the participants. High tea was served at the end of the program to the participants.
