KPITBs Digital Freelancers Awards 2016-2017

Online outsourcing has become a promising alternative to traditional employment in today’s digital era. It has transformed where, when, and how work is performed. For employers, online outsourcing provides broader access to specialized skills, more flexible and faster hiring processes, and 24‐hour productivity. For workers, this form of outsourcing has created new opportunities to access and compete in global markets as digital freelancers. In the United States, there are 53 million freelancers making 34% of the national workforce and contributing to an estimated $715 billion. In the UK, there are 1.4 million freelancers across all sectors. The number of businesses hiring freelancers online have increased by 46%. The trend remains the same all across the globe.

There is tremendous potential for Pakistani youth to harness these trends further: the Pakistani programmers market ranks as the No. 3 country for supplying — freelance programmers — behind only the United States and India, and up from No. 5 just two years ago. Pakistan’s freelance programmers already account for $850 million of the country’s software exports; that number could go up to $1 billion in the next year.

In the province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the KPITB launched the first ever government funded training program for digital freelancing. Known as the Youth Employment Program, it has so far trained over one thousand freelancers in 7 districts in KP, with a target of 2100 in the first phase.

To recognize the tremendous work already done by established freelancers, as well as to encourage more youth to the industry, KPITB is pleased to announce awards to freelancers working on different freelancing platforms. The awards will be awarded in a ceremony held in Peshawar. All freelancers of Pakistan are encouraged to apply through the form.

1. Special awards for Female digital freelancers
a. Top three digital freelancers from KP
b. Top three digital freelancers from across Pakistan

2. KPITB’s digital freelancers Award
a. Top three digital freelancers from KP
b. Top three digital freelancers from across Pakistan

3. YEP (Emerging Freelancer who attended the KPITB’s YEP session)

4. Youngest Freelancer

5. Three freelancers to be selected randomly by the Chief Guest

Apply Here: https://goo.gl/forms/Kox6RCkDPO0Ha02n2