PEC and KP’s P&D Department have launched the Graduate Engineer Trainee Program, offering structured, six-month practical training for fresh engineering graduates.
PEC and KP Government Join Hands for Graduate Training
The Pakistan Engineering Council and the Planning and Development Department of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa have signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding to roll out the PEC Graduate Engineer Trainee Placement Program across key provincial departments. The agreement formalises a long-discussed plan to give fresh engineering graduates structured, supervised exposure to real-world projects in the public sector.
The signing ceremony took place at the Civil Secretariat in Peshawar and was attended by PEC Chairman Engr Waseem Nazeer, Additional Chief Secretary (Development) Ikramullah Khan, PEC Vice Chairman KP Dr Qaiser Ali, members of the PEC Governing Body and officials from various engineering wings of the KP government. Stakeholders at the event described the partnership as a major step forward for both young engineers and provincial institutions.
Key Departments to Offer Hands-On Field Experience
Under the MoU, several major technical departments in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa will adopt the Graduate Engineer Trainee Program. These include the Communication and Works Department, Energy and Power Department, Public Health Engineering Department, Irrigation Department and the Local Government Elections and Rural Development Department.
Through this arrangement, fresh engineering graduates will be placed on active development schemes and maintenance projects, rather than being confined to purely office-based roles. They will work under the supervision of experienced engineers, gaining first-hand exposure to project planning, site supervision, contract management, quality control and coordination with contractors and communities.
Six-Month Training Modeled on Medical House Jobs
Speaking at the ceremony, PEC Chairman Engr Waseem Nazeer explained that the Graduate Engineer Trainee model has been designed on the pattern of the house job system used for medical graduates. Each training cycle will span six months, combining five months of field-based learning with one dedicated month focused on soft skills and professional development.
During the field component, trainees will rotate across different project sites and sub-divisions to understand the full life cycle of infrastructure and service delivery schemes. In the soft skills module, they will receive training in communication, report writing, safety protocols, project documentation, teamwork and basic digital tools used in modern engineering offices.
Engr Waseem stressed that the programme aims to bridge the gap between academic learning and practical demands in the engineering sector. By the end of their attachment, trainees are expected to be more employable, better prepared for private or public sector roles and more confident in handling on-ground challenges.
Boosting Capacity in Public Sector Engineering Wings
Additional Chief Secretary (Development) Ikramullah Khan welcomed the initiative, describing it as a transformative step for improving service delivery in engineering-related departments. He noted that the presence of motivated young engineers in the field can help accelerate project timelines, improve the quality of supervision and introduce fresh ideas in areas such as design, cost control and maintenance planning.
He added that the programme will not only empower graduates but also support the province’s broader development agenda. As departments face increasing workloads under provincial and federal development schemes, having a steady pipeline of trained engineers is essential for ensuring that projects are delivered on time, within budget and to acceptable technical standards.
Nationwide Expansion and Long-Term Impact for Graduates
The PEC Chairman highlighted that the council has already partnered with multiple institutions across Pakistan to expand the Graduate Engineer Trainee initiative. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s formal adoption through the MoU is seen as a major milestone, potentially encouraging other provinces to follow suit and harmonise training opportunities nationwide.
For young engineers in KP, the programme offers a structured entry point into the profession at a time when many graduates struggle to gain credible experience for their CVs. By completing a recognised six-month placement under PEC’s framework, trainees can demonstrate practical competence to future employers and stand out in a competitive job market.
Industry observers believe that over the long term, the programme can help raise overall engineering standards in the province. A more competent, confident and industry-ready workforce is expected to contribute directly to better-designed infrastructure, more sustainable projects and stronger technical leadership within government institutions. For a province with ambitious development goals, investing in graduate training is being seen as a strategic move rather than a short-term pilot.
