ISLAMABAD, Sep 24 (APP):More than 5,000 Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) beneficiaries and their family members are currently undergoing vocational training in various trades in Sindh under the Benazir Hunarmand Programme (BHP). According to documents available with Wealth Pakistan, the training is being conducted in collaboration with the Benazir Bhutto Shaheed Human Resource Research and Development Board (BBSHRRDB). The programme, aimed at empowering women beneficiaries and their eligible family members, …
Over 5,000 BISP beneficiaries, family members undergoing skills training
ISLAMABAD, Sep 24 (APP):More than 5,000 Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) beneficiaries and their family members are currently undergoing vocational training in various trades in Sindh under the Benazir Hunarmand Programme (BHP).
According to documents available with Wealth Pakistan, the training is being conducted in collaboration with the Benazir Bhutto Shaheed Human Resource Research and Development Board (BBSHRRDB).
The programme, aimed at empowering women beneficiaries and their eligible family members, provides market-relevant vocational and skills training to improve sustainable livelihoods and employment opportunities in Pakistan and abroad.
The BHP covers formal training in key sectors including healthcare, information technology, hospitality, construction, beauty services, garments and textiles. It also provides informal training opportunities for artisans in remote areas to preserve traditional crafts and improve their access to markets through digital marketing skills.
More than 49,000 candidates have registered on the BHP portal for six-month training programmes since its inauguration by the President of Pakistan in June 2025, with approximately 75% of the applicants being women.
BISP has established multi-stakeholder partnerships to support implementation of the programme and provide demand-driven vocational training.
Memorandums of understanding have been signed with the National Vocational and Technical Training Commission (NAVTTC), BBSHRRDB, Pakistan Poverty Alleviation Fund (PPAF), Punjab Skills Development Fund (PSDF) and Lok Virsa to strengthen implementation, outreach and long-term sustainability.
The BISP Board accorded in-principle approval to the Benazir Hunarmand Programme at its 66th meeting in December 2025, while the Technical Design Committee approved the programme design at its 19th meeting in August this year.
The programme seeks to use the expertise of partner organisations to deliver high-quality, demand-driven vocational training and strengthen employment and livelihood opportunities for BISP beneficiaries and their families.
