Punjab Government Launches Youth Entrepreneurship Scheme to Strengthen Skill-Based Education and Employment

Chandigarh, December 13, 2025: The Aam Aadmi Party government led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has announced the launch of the Punjab Youth Entrepreneurship Scheme, marking a major shift in the state’s education policy towards skill-based learning and employment generation. The initiative aims to equip students with practical business and marketing skills, enabling them to become self-reliant and job-ready at an early stage.

Under the scheme, students of Classes 11 and 12 studying in government schools will receive structured training in entrepreneurship, financial literacy and modern marketing practices. The programme seeks to move beyond conventional classroom teaching by preparing students for real-world employment and enterprise creation. The government believes this approach will encourage young people to become job creators rather than job seekers.

Officials said the scheme focuses on building confidence, competence and independence among students by combining theoretical knowledge with practical exposure. Modern technology and industry-relevant training modules will be integrated to ensure that skill development aligns with current market needs. Financial and technical support will also be extended to students showing entrepreneurial potential.

The Punjab Youth Entrepreneurship Scheme is being positioned as a key pillar of the state government’s broader “Mission Employment” agenda. The initiative draws strength from the Schools of Eminence programme, where students from Classes 9 to 12 receive advanced academic and skill training. These schools also provide free coaching for competitive examinations such as JEE, NEET and civil services, aimed at expanding higher education opportunities for government school students.

In April 2025, Chief Minister Mann inaugurated the World Skill Excellence Complex in Ludhiana, comprising a modern Industrial Training Institute and a Multi-Skill Development Centre. The facility has the capacity to train more than 3,000 students annually. The government has also modernised ITI institutions across Punjab, leading to a sharp rise in enrolment from around 50–60 per cent to nearly 97 per cent.

Skill development is also being used as a tool to address social challenges. In July 2025, the government launched a special course to educate students about the harmful effects of drug abuse. The programme is expected to reach over eight lakh students and is being implemented under the Punjab Skill Development Mission as part of efforts to curb drug addiction among youth.

The Mann government has described its focus on skill education as a long-term investment in Punjab’s future. From Schools of Eminence to modern ITIs and entrepreneurship-focused programmes, these initiatives aim to directly link education with employment and economic growth. The government maintains that these reforms signal the beginning of a new era in Punjab’s education sector, with youth empowerment and self-reliance at its core.