ISLAMABAD:BISP Board has approved a pilot Residential Skills Training Programme in collaboration with Pak-Austria Fachhochschule: Institute of Applied Sciences and Technology (PAF-IAST), Haripur. The initiative aims to provide high-quality, market-oriented skills training to 300 BISP beneficiaries and from across the country through an internationally aligned residential training model, enabling them to access better employment opportunities and achieve sustainable livelihoods.

The programme will focus on three priority sectors, namely Hospitality Management and Tourism Services, Healthcare Services and Caregiving, and Information Technology and Digital Skills. To promote women's economic empowerment, at least 50 percent participation will be ensured for women.

The programme will also facilitate interaction with employers, career counselling, workplace orientation, industry exposure, and internationally recognised certifications in selected sectors. This integrated approach is designed to enhance participants' employability and competitiveness in both domestic and international labour markets.

The pilot programme will serve as a proof of concept to assess the effectiveness and scalability of the residential skills development model. The initiative reflects BISP's commitment to moving beyond conventional social assistance towards sustainable livelihood development and economic empowerment. By investing in human capital and equipping beneficiary households with demand-driven professional skills, BISP aims to create pathways to dignified employment, improved income opportunities, and greater economic self-reliance.