Hunarmand Pakistan is the free skills training that the federal government offers young people through NAVTTC and its partner institutes. This guide explains what it is, the courses, who is eligible, whether there is a stipend, and how to apply on the official NSIS portal, as of September 2026.
The program is also known as “Skill for All”. It helps young people learn a trade or a digital skill so they can find work, start a business or earn online. NAVTTC says its training is 100% free of cost.
What is Hunarmand Pakistan?
Hunarmand Pakistan is a federal skills program run by NAVTTC, the National Vocational and Technical Training Commission, which works under the Ministry of Federal Education and Professional Training. The government launched it as “Hunarmand Pakistan (Skill for All)” at the start of 2020 under the Kamyab Jawan Programme. Its first phase enrolled about 37,000 young people in traditional and high-tech trades.
Today, NAVTTC’s flagship free training is the Prime Minister’s Youth Skills Development Program (PMYSDP). The 2024-25 Economic Survey listed federal funding for both PMYSDP (Rs 15,000 million for 2023 to 2026) and the Skill for All initiative. In the first PMYSDP batch, 51,833 young people completed training, and NAVTTC says its latest batch had more than 75,000 trainees at 866 public and private institutes, in 103 trades. In 2026 NAVTTC also ran Skills of Tomorrow, a free digital-skills program. NAVTTC’s own FAQ covers both names: “All NAVTTC training programs under PMYSDP and Hunarmand Pakistan are 100% free of cost.”
You can find official information at navttc.gov.pk, and you apply on the NSIS portal.
Do not confuse this federal program with Punjab’s own Hunarmand Naujawan program, which is run by the Punjab Skills Development Fund (PSDF). Our Parwaaz Card guide covers one part of it.
Where things stand in September 2026
| Program | What it offers | Status as of September 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| PM’s Youth Skills Development Program (PMYSDP) | Free NVQF-certified training in 103 trades | Listed as closed; NAVTTC published Batch III assessment plans in May 2026 |
| Skills of Tomorrow 2026 | Free 3-month digital courses | Applications closed on 15 July 2026; the next intake will be announced on its page |
| Other NSIS programs | Smaller free courses run with partners | Open from time to time on the NSIS portal |
Status changes quickly. Check the NSIS portal and NAVTTC’s Programs page for what you can apply for today.
Hunarmand Pakistan eligibility
NAVTTC’s Student page lists the usual rules:
- Age 18 to 35 years
- At least Matric (10th grade) or an equivalent qualification
- A Pakistani citizen with a valid CNIC
The Skills of Tomorrow page adds that unemployed youth get preference, you must be available for full-time training, and you must be medically fit. It reserves 30% of seats for women and 5% for persons with disabilities.
Some programs set their own rules. For example, a June 2026 NAVTTC livestock training program accepted ages 18 to 40 with middle or Matric education, and it ran only in Mardan and Peshawar. Always read the rules of the program you pick on NSIS before you apply.
The courses
NAVTTC lists more than 450 certified trades in 15 industry sectors. Examples include:
- Information technology: web and mobile app development, AI and machine learning, cybersecurity, cloud computing, graphic design, digital marketing
- Construction and electrical: electrician, plumber, solar PV technician, AC technician
- Automotive and driving: auto mechanic, EV technician, HTV and LTV driver
- Hospitality, beauty and textiles: chef, barista, beautician, dress making, embroidery
- Languages: English, Arabic, Chinese, Korean, German, Japanese
Courses run from 3 to 12 months, depending on the trade and its NVQF level, and most basic courses take 3 to 6 months. Skills of Tomorrow 2026 listed six digital courses: AI for Everyone, AI-Powered eCommerce, AI Financial Analyst with Power BI, Digital Marketing and SEO, Earning Money Through Freelancing, and Graphic Design.
When you finish and pass the final assessment, you get an NVQF certificate, and employers can verify NAVTTC certificates online. NAVTTC offers job placement support, but it says a job depends on your performance and market demand, so a job is not guaranteed.
Is there a stipend?
As of September 2026, NAVTTC’s official Student, Programs and Skills of Tomorrow pages say the training is free, but they do not mention a stipend. So do not plan on a monthly payment. If a particular program offers an allowance, NAVTTC or the NSIS portal will say so in its announcement. Be careful with blogs or videos that promise a fixed monthly amount without an official link.
How to apply online, step by step
NAVTTC’s website says “Apply via NSIS Portal”. Its application process has seven steps: check eligibility, choose your program, apply online, take the NTS test, train, pass the assessment, and get your certificate. On the portal, it works like this:
- Open the official NSIS portal at nsis.navttc.gov.pk and choose to register as a Candidate.
- Create your account with your full name as on your CNIC, your 13-digit CNIC, gender, tehsil, email and mobile number. Your CNIC becomes your username.
- Log in and complete your profile, including your father’s name, date of birth, district, domicile and qualification.
- Choose Apply New Program, pick an open program, then your trade and an institute near you. Some programs let you apply for only one trade.
- Submit. The portal says it will show your NTS entry test schedule on your dashboard, so log in regularly.
- Take the NTS aptitude test. Selected candidates then start training at a partner institute.
- Finish the course and pass the competency-based assessment to get your certificate.
The NSIS helpline is 0800-88866 (toll-free, Monday to Friday, office hours). You can also email nsis@navttc.gov.pk with your CNIC, mobile number and the trade you applied for.
Stay safe from fraud
- Apply only on the official portal nsis.navttc.gov.pk, and check that the address ends in .gov.pk. Some news reports have printed other web addresses, so use the NSIS link on navttc.gov.pk.
- Training and applying are free. NAVTTC says its programs are 100% free of cost, so never pay a fee to enroll or to sit the test.
- No agent can get you a seat. Ignore anyone who asks for money to “confirm your seat” or to help you pass the test.
- Never share your OTP or password with anyone.
NAVTTC’s own grievance link goes to the Pakistan Citizen’s Portal. If someone demands money, report it through the Pakistan Citizen’s Portal.
For help, use the official NSIS portal or call 0800-88866. GoPunjab is an independent information website. We are not NAVTTC, and we cannot enroll you or run the training. We only explain how the process works so you can apply correctly.
To see what else may fit you, try our free eligibility checker. Young people should also read about CM Punjab internships (the general program has had no new round since 2024, but other CM internships run in 2026), the Kamyab Jawan loan, and the e-Rozgaar Program, which offers paid freelancing courses.