According to the Population Reference Bureau (2004), Pakistan has the largest number of youth in its history (an estimated 36 million). This presents a unique opportunity to effectively tap the available potential in young people and enable them to discover their latent talent. However, data from Labor Force Survey (2005-06) shows that about 50 percent of the total labor force (aged 15-29) is unemployed, because there is a lack of human resource in emerging service industries including advertising and media, telecommunications, call centers, retail stores and banking. Furthermore, educational training is inadequate in preparing the youth for challenging work environment and limitations in the system do not allow youth the possibility of exploring creative and entrepreneurial possibilities.

In the light of these challenges, iACT aims to help the youth develop an understanding of diverse career and employment choices, especially in the service sector, and prepare them for the work environment. In October 2007, the City District Government of Karachi (CDGK) offered the Pilot Social Welfare Complex to Habib University Foundation for housing iACT. The Foundation began reconstructing and refurbishing the defunct and dilapidated building immediately to transform it into a modern, vibrant learning facility. The Habib University Foundation is investing Rs. 24 million for physical upliftment of the Institute of which Rs. 11 million has already been invested and approximately Rs. 8.76 million is expected to be invested on an annual basis.