Islamabad:In a significant push to bridge the gap between academic training and industry demands, more than 1,300 newly graduated engineers have joined the second batch of the Graduate Engineer Trainee (GET) Placement Programme launched by the Pakistan Engineering Council (PEC).
Overall, 1,700 candidates were selected through a transparent, fully digital balloting process conducted late month.
Officials said the initiative aimed to equip young engineers with practical, industry-oriented experience, easing their transition from classrooms to professional environments. They said the remaining selected candidates were expected to be placed in upcoming phases, following the completion of their reporting requirements through additional rounds of digital balloting.
The officials said the inducted trainees had been received by senior officials across their respective organizations and had already begun orientation sessions and onboarding processes.
They added that the trainees' placements spanned more than 60 public and private sector entities, offering exposure to a wide range of industries and real-world engineering challenges. The officials said participating institutions included federal and provincial departments, along with those in Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir, as well as leading employers from both the public and private sectors.
They added that those organisations had pledged to provide hands-on training through fieldwork and project-based assignments. According to them, a notable feature of the programme is the allocation of 300 reserved seats for graduates from Balochistan, all of which have been successfully filled, ensuring meaningful provincial representation.
PEC Chairman Engr. Waseem Nazir expressed satisfaction with the rollout of the second batch, noting that the merit-based digital selection system upheld transparency and fairness. He emphasised that the programme was designed to enhance not only technical capabilities but also soft skills and overall professional competence.
“By placing young engineers in real working environments, we are enabling them to build both technical expertise and interpersonal skills essential for the advancement of Pakistan’s engineering sector,” he said.
The six-month programme includes five months of field training and one month dedicated to skill development. Participants receive a monthly stipend of Rs50,000 and are awarded a QR-verified certificate upon successful completion.
Fully funded by PEC, the GET Placement Programme is aimed at empowering young engineers, strengthening the country’s engineering workforce and contributing to long-term national development.
