Career Guides · International Certification
Government-Funded International IT Certifications: PM’s SkillTech Pakistan Short Courses Explained
Fresh IT graduates can get 100% funding and working IT professionals 80% funding for 48-hour courses that lead to AWS, Microsoft, EC-Council, PMI and Scrum certifications. Here is who qualifies and how to apply.
An international certification is often what separates a CV that gets shortlisted from one that does not. Employers and overseas clients recognise names like AWS, Microsoft Azure, CEH and PMP, but the training and exam fees put them out of reach for many young Pakistanis. The federal government’s latest short-course programme is designed to close that gap: it pays for the training and the certification, in full for recent IT graduates and largely for working professionals.
The programme is delivered by the Pakistan Software Export Board (PSEB), an organisation of the Ministry of Information Technology & Telecommunication, and promoted under the Prime Minister’s SkillTech Pakistan and Tech Destination Pakistan campaigns. The official portal describes it as “Accelerated Professional Training & Certifications”.
Who can apply and how much is funded
| Category | Who it is for | Funding | Seat quota |
|---|---|---|---|
| University IT Graduates | Graduated within the last two years. Six months of job or internship experience is preferred but not required. | 100% of training and certification | 45% |
| IT Professionals | Currently employed, with two or more years of experience. | 80% (you pay 20%) | 50% |
| Public Sector IT Professionals | Currently employed by a federal, provincial or local government organisation. | 80% (you pay 20%) | 5% |
Categories, quotas and funding as listed on the official PSEB application portal in November 2026. Seats are allocated on merit and quota; applying does not guarantee a place.
Each course is 48 hours. You can apply for up to two courses, each with your preferred city.
Which certifications are on offer
The portal lists ten certification tracks across the six areas shown in the campaign: cloud computing, artificial intelligence, DevOps, data analytics, cybersecurity and management.
| Area | Certification |
|---|---|
| Cloud computing | AWS Certified Solutions Architect; Microsoft Certified: Azure Administrator Associate (AZ-104) |
| Artificial intelligence | Microsoft Certified: Azure AI Engineer Associate (AI-102) |
| DevOps | Microsoft Certified: DevOps Engineer Expert (AZ-400) |
| Cybersecurity | Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH); Computer Hacking Forensic Investigator (CHFI) |
| Data analytics | Microsoft Power BI Data Analyst Associate (PL-300); Salesforce Certified Tableau Desktop Foundations |
| Management | Certified Scrum Master (CSM); Project Management Professional (PMP) |
Some of these, such as AZ-400 and PMP, are advanced certifications that expect prior experience. Choose a track that matches where you are now: a fresh graduate will usually get more from AZ-104, PL-300 or CEH than from an expert-level exam.
How to apply online: step by step
- Go to the official portal, skills.techdestination.com/program/short-courses/apply, and sign up (or log in).
- Fill in the form: name, father’s name, contact number, date of birth, qualification and degree passing year, city, CNIC, domicile, gender, email and your eligibility category.
- Choose your first course and training city. A second course and city are optional (maximum two).
- Upload attested copies of your CNIC, degree and a photograph. Professionals should keep an employment or experience letter ready; public-sector applicants may need an NOC from their department.
- Click Submit Application and keep checking your email and the portal for shortlisting.
The portal does not list a closing date, and seats are limited, so apply early. For help, PSEB lists its helpline 0800 01010 and support@pseb.org.pk.
Two related PSEB opportunities
PSEB Deploy: AI-powered tech bootcamps (100% free)
If you are a recent computing graduate and can commit full time, PSEB’s 12-week bootcamps offer 300 hours of training in tracks such as AI, cybersecurity, DevOps, cloud, web, mobile and UI/UX, with a free international certification voucher for trainees who keep 80% attendance and pass the internal exam. The bootcamp portal lists applications closing on 15 November 2026.
PM IT Certification Reimbursement Programme
Already preparing for an exam on your own? In November 2026 the government also announced reimbursement of up to Rs 70,000 for approved international IT certifications from providers such as AWS, Microsoft, Google, Cisco and Oracle, paid after you pass and PSEB verifies your claim.
How to prepare before your course starts
Forty-eight hours is intensive. Candidates who arrive with the basics, such as how cloud services, AI tools and data dashboards work, get far more out of the training and are better placed to pass the exam. At CDLBM in Gulberg II, Lahore, our best short courses in Lahore build exactly that foundation, from the AI for Everyone course to practical computer and IT short courses. CDLBM students can also apply through our international certification exam scholarship form.
Looking for other free government training? Read our guides to NAVTTC admissions 2027, AI Seekho 2026 and the PM Youth Skills Development Programme, and the Honhaar Scholarship 2026.
Frequently asked questions
Is the PSEB international certification programme really free?
For university IT graduates who completed their degree within the last two years, the portal lists 100% funding for training and certification. IT professionals and public-sector IT staff receive 80% funding and pay the remaining 20%.
How long are the courses?
Each short course is 48 hours of training, followed by the relevant international certification.
Can I apply for more than one course?
Yes, up to two courses, each with a chosen training city.
Which cities offer training?
Lahore, Islamabad, Karachi, Peshawar and Quetta, depending on the course.
Can women and minorities apply?
Yes. The campaign explicitly encourages women and minorities to apply.
What is the last date to apply?
The official portal does not show a deadline. Seats are limited and allocated on merit and quota, so apply as soon as you can.
Join the Best Short Courses in Lahore
Build the AI, cloud and digital skills that help you get the most out of a certification, at CDLBM, Gulberg II, Lahore.
Join CDLBM: Apply NowOfficial links
- PSEB short courses application portal (Tech Destination Pakistan)
- PSEB Deploy bootcamp portal
- Pakistan Software Export Board · Ministry of IT & Telecom
- Prime Minister’s Youth Programme
Sources
CDLBM (Centre for Digital Literacy & Business Management) is a NAVTTC-registered institute at UHE Campus, Gulberg II, Lahore. CDLBM is chaired by Rizwan Anwar, PhD scholar and Special Representative to the Prime Minister’s Youth Programme. This guide is for information only; CDLBM is not a PSEB training provider for this programme. Always confirm details on the official portal.
Comments are closed