400 Youth Secure Employment Following Completion of National Service Programme

More than 400 young Maldivians have secured employment after completing the government’s National Service Programme, according to the Ministry of Defence and National Service. The initiative, launched by President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu in October last year, aims to equip youth with professional skills and civic discipline. Speaking on the PSM programme “Hendhunu Hendhunaa,” Deputy Minister of Defence and National Service Fathimath Mizna Ali revealed that of the 543 graduates who applied for work, 400 have already entered the workforce. The Ministry is currently working to secure placements for the remaining cadets, utilizing career guidance counseling to align job opportunities with the participants' personal interests and professional strengths. Deputy Minister Mizna described the initiative as a first-of-its-kind program in the Maldives, offering comprehensive training across a diverse range of sectors. She emphasized that the curriculum is designed to foster a generation rooted in Islamic values and national loyalty, while building the physical and mental resilience necessary for adulthood. Beyond civic responsibility, the programme focuses on practical outcomes. Cadets are taught essential technical skills required in modern work environments, encouraging initiative and self-management. This blend of vocational training and character development is intended to create a more disciplined and capable young workforce. Looking forward, the government plans to expand the scope of the National Service Programme to reach more youth. To support those who have graduated but are under 18, the Ministry has introduced a specialized internship program to keep them engaged in professional development. Further infrastructure growth is also planned to sustain the programme. Alongside the development of national defence facilities on Girifushi in Kaafu Atoll, the government intends to establish a dedicated National Service Centre on the island to serve as a hub for future training and operations.