Punjab Launches Tracer Study to Measure Impact of Women’s Skills Development Programme

By Farzana Chaudhry | Lahore, Pakistan

LAHORE: The Punjab Government’s Women Development Department (WDD) has launched a tracer study under its flagship SEHR Programme to assess the employment and income outcomes of women who have completed vocational training in the hospitality and beauty and personal care sectors.

The study aims to determine how many programme graduates have secured employment, established their own businesses, or increased their income after completing the training. Officials said the findings would help improve future phases of the programme and ensure training remains aligned with labour market demands.

The SEHR Programme is designed to promote women’s economic empowerment by equipping participants with market-oriented skills in digital technologies, hospitality, and beauty and personal care. A total of 5,365 women are currently being trained under the initiative.

Under the digital skills component, implemented by the Punjab Skills Development Fund (PSDF), 2,040 women are enrolled in a six-month online training programme delivered through a Learning Management System (LMS). Participants are provided with laptops, internet connectivity support, and a monthly stipend of Rs5,000 to facilitate uninterrupted learning.

The hospitality training component, implemented in collaboration with the Institute of Tourism and Hotel Management (ITHM-TDCP), will train 1,260 women in culinary arts, baking and pastry, barista and fast-food operations, guest relations, front office management, food and beverage services, and travel and airline management.

According to the department, 700 women have already completed the hospitality training, while the remaining participants will begin classes in August at training centres in Lahore, Faisalabad, Multan, Rawalpindi, and Gujranwala.

Under the beauty and personal care component, 2,065 women have completed two months of hands-on training in nail art, hairstyling, skincare, makeup, and professional development.

The Women Development Department said the SEHR Programme is designed not only to provide vocational training but also to connect women with sustainable livelihood opportunities, enhance employability, encourage entrepreneurship, and strengthen women’s economic independence across Punjab.