Barclays invests £0.45m in youth training

UNICEF will use the funds to tackle unemployment in Punjab.

LAHORE: Barclays has made a further investment of £450,000 for the next two years in Pakistan and the money will be utilised by the United Nations Children’s Fund (Unicef) for imparting comprehensive vocational and entrepreneurial skills to the most disadvantaged young people in Punjab.

The second phase of the partnership between the two organisations, called ‘Building Young Futures’ and launched here on Tuesday, will help tackle youth unemployment by improving prospects of jobs for 6,000 disadvantaged young people in Punjab and strengthening their economic and social resilience against the challenges of chronic poverty, inequality and changing economic circumstances.

Speaking on the occasion, Barclays Pakistan CEO Shazad Dada said, “This partnership between Barclays and Unicef comes at the right time for Pakistani youth. Investing in them is key to the future.”

He said the programme underlined the need for going beyond donations to social investment, which is in line with the objective of long-term sustainability of communities. Under the programme, young people are equipped with financial, enterprise and life skills needed to achieve economic independence and security.



About 74,000 young people in six countries including Pakistan are expected to benefit in the second phase.

Unicef Chief Field Office Punjab Ketsamay Rajphangthong said, “Creating opportunities for adolescents to thrive, learn, participate and stay healthy is essential for their holistic development.”

They will be given certified vocational training and financial and enterprise skills training in eight districts of Punjab, ensuring they have the knowledge and confidence with enormous potential for transforming societies and as a key resource for prosperity in their communities.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 13^th, 2013.

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