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Vocational Training for Employment Enhancement of Marginalized Groups in Gilgit Baltistan

Context:

Gilgit Baltistan (GB) is one of the less accessible provinces in Pakistan. It is connected to the rest of the country by its flight services and road network. However, the flights are irregular, as due to the mountainous landscape they are very reliant on the weather conditions. In addition, poor road conditions make travelling difficult. As a result, it is difficult for products produced in GB to access the market in an effective and efficient manner. To further complicate matters, the remoteness of GB as well as constant security issues lead to limited possibilities for internet access, which even more isolates people from GB from the outside world. Due to this lack of opportunities and market access, people in GB continue to be marginalised. With this as the background, Karakuram Area Development Organization KADO has designed a project to train marginalised people in GB in various information and communication technology (ICT) skills. This project is being implemented with financial assistance from the TVET Reform Support Programme as part of its Fund for Innovative Training component. The TVET Reform Support Programme is co-financed by the European Union, the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, and the Federal Republic of Germany and administered by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ).

KADO is a not for profit, community-based civil society organisation that has been working in areas such as sustainable agriculture and social and economic enterprises; managing the environment and natural resources, preserving local culture, etc. It was established 16 years ago and has so far trained more than 6000 beneficiaries.

Objective:

The objective of the project is to train beneficiaries in various ICT courses to a level that they are prepared for respective employment contracts in the ICT sector.

Methodology:

KADO will establish seven IT learning centres, which will be equipped with satellite internet facilities as well as a connection to backbone the internet line. Beneficiaries will be able to attend courses such as web design, programming, e-marketing, call-centre, online stocks, and forex trading. After the completion of the training courses, KADO will facilitate work contracts for the graduates with the aim to secure contract assignments globally.. To ensure community involvement and participation, KADO will partner with community-based organisations.

Expected Outcomes:

As many as 2500 beneficiaries will be trained in various ICT courses with special focus on women, as 1500 of the placements will be offered to women. Beneficiaries will be able to participate in ICT training courses, which currently are not available to them due to a poor internet connection. In addition, the community living in the neighbourhood of the ICT training facilities will be able to use the internet services. This will provide the people in GB with a connection to the global world.

Contact Details: Mubeen Muhammad
ceo@kado.net.pk
www.kado.net.pk