March 29, 2017 – The Government of Japan and UGOOD signed a Grant Contract in The Embassy of Japan in Islamabad for “SERA Industrial Home and Vocational Training Centre” to provide skill development training to rural women in district Sialkot village Gondal. Project is funded by The Government of Japan.

In Pakistani society, majority of the women do not participate in income generating activities and the families are supported by the earning of the male members. This financial dependency of women makes them vulnerable to exploitation and a lower social status. Apart from the cultural/social norms, the main reason for such phenomenon is lack of employment opportunities for a woman that is directly related to the availability of educational and employable skill development facilities for women. The situation is similar in UC Gondal where women/girls do not have access to any Technical Skill Development facility. District Sialkot is one of the major industrial cities of Pakistan and there is huge demand of skilled labour including home based women workers to cater for the needs of the industries. UGOOD has signed MoU with Sialkot Chamber of Commerce & Industry. One of the main objectives of MoU is to provide Market Based Training and Skill Development opportunities for the Women of the area, and create linkage with the market to avail business and employment opportunities. Cognizant of the UGOOD conducted a thorough survey of the UC Gondal for establishing a Skill Development Center.

In Sialkot literacy rate is among the highest in Pakistan. In urban areas, it is 73% and in rural areas, it is 54%. As per statistics, literacy ratio among male population is 66% and for females is 51%. 66% population is employed while 34% is unemployed. Employment in agriculture is only 19.5% and 32% in elementary occupations. 95% of the population has electricity and 96% have the water facility.

The approximate population of UC Gondal is around 55,000 with male and female ratio of around 48/52. Union Council Gondal is located 21 KM East of Sialkot City near Chenab River and is a commercial hub for around 40 villages farther ahead of the main city towards Pakistan/India Border of Bajwat Sector. As per data available with district authorities, the literacy rate in the union council Gondal is 51%. As is the case with other villages of Central Punjab, majority of the population in UC Gondal is dependent on agriculture for livelihood, however, the trend of employment in other elementary occupations is increasing with the significant decrease in agricultural lands and income.

As far as education facilities are concerned, there is one Government Boys High School and one Middle School for Girls to cater for the needs of the whole union council. Boys and girls aspiring for higher education have to travel to the city using either public transport or through private transportation means.

Following trades and related skills shall be introduced for the female being high in demand for the subject area:

1. Dress Designing & Making
2. Embroidery ( handmade & Machine made)
3. Beautician & Hair Saloon
4. Agricultural Trainings
5. Livestock Management
6. Small Business Management Skill Trainings

UGOOD has signed an MoU with Sialkot Chamber of Commerce & Industry through which it will create linkage of women trained in different skills with market. UGOOD shall regularly organize exhibitions at the display center in collaboration with Sialkot Chamber of Commerce & Industry and shall invite entrepreneurs and seasoned businessmen to these exhibitions for learning and exposure of the trainees at the vocational center.