ISLAMABAD (APP) National Vocational & Technical Education Commission (NAVTEC) would launch short-term skill development programmes in Technical Trades and Domestic Services in Punjab. Besides, the Commission would also launch umbrella skilled development programme countrywide. The main objective was to motivate and provide incentives to technical and vocational education and training (TVET) institutions to focus on providing quality training. The approved cost of 02 projects is Rs480.104 million and Rs99.671 million respectively. The execution period of the schemes is 12 months. The schemes have been recently approved by Central Development Working Party (CDWP) in its recent meeting. The short-term 26 trade programmes with three months duration would cover 55 places and centres in Punjab. A total number of 37.592 persons would be trained. Similarly, in Umbrella programme, 56 trade courses with 2.6 months duration, would be launched in 22 places and centres to train 7,458 persons. Range of the courses includes Light Engineering, Hospitality, Construction, Skills for women, Information Technology and Services Sector. The courses are offered free of charge and the selected candidates would be paid a stipend of Rs. 2000 per month during the course.  The schemes are aimed at equipping unemployed youth with modern technical stalls, upgrading their skills for better jobs to raise their income and ultimately alleviate poverty. The NAVTEC supports Technical and Vocational Education and Training institutions (TVET) that are running courses relevant to market needs. The NAVTEC also supports TVET institutions to create additional capacity to train unemployed educated youth in the sectors facing skills shortage as envisioned by the President and under Prime Minister's special initiative for skills development. Schedule for training courses will be announced by concerned training providers and training institutes in National/regional media later on. Special emphasis has been given to training of women and disadvantaged section of society and backward areas of AJK, FANA, FATA and the four provinces.