Benazir Hunarmand Programme 2025 — Skills Training

What is Benazir Hunarmand Programme?

Benazir Hunarmand Programme (BHP) provides free technical and vocational education and training (TVET) to youth from BISP-enrolled families, aiming to increase their employability and income-earning capacity. It is one of the few BISP programmes open to both men and women, unlike Benazir Kafaalat and Nashonuma, which specifically target women and mothers.

The programme is structured as a skills-building intervention rather than a direct cash transfer — its purpose is to break the cycle of poverty by equipping young household members with marketable trade skills, rather than relying solely on ongoing cash support. It operates under the broader Ehsaas/Benazir programme umbrella — see our Ehsaas Program 8171 guide for how Hunarmand fits alongside Kafaalat, Taleemi Wazaif, and Nashonuma.

Why This Programme Exists

BISP's core cash transfer programmes (Kafaalat, Taleemi Wazaif, Nashonuma) address immediate poverty and basic needs, but they do not by themselves change a household's long-term earning capacity. Hunarmand was introduced to address this gap directly — by training working-age members of BISP households in practical, in-demand trades, the programme aims to create a pathway toward sustainable income that does not depend on continued government cash transfers.

This focus on graduation from welfare dependency is a recurring theme across newer BISP programme design, alongside the financial inclusion goals of the BISP Digital Wallet system.

Eligibility Criteria

• Age between 18 and 40 years.
• Minimum Matric (Class 10) educational qualification.
• Must be registered in the BISP Dynamic Registry (the active NSER database).
• Must belong to a BISP-enrolled household — meaning the household has passed the NSER/PMT eligibility assessment.

If your household has not yet been surveyed for BISP eligibility, you must complete that step first. See our BISP Registration — Complete Guide for the full NSER survey process.

Available Training Trades

Training courses are offered in a range of in-demand sectors, though exact availability depends on the training center capacity in your district:

• Information Technology (IT) — basic computing, software use, and digital skills.
• Construction and masonry — building trades with steady regional demand.
• Textile and garments — stitching, tailoring, and garment production skills.
• Automotive repair — vehicle maintenance and mechanical trades.
• Cooking and hospitality — food service and hospitality industry skills.
• Beautician services — salon and personal care trade training.

Not every trade is available in every Tehsil — your registering office will confirm which courses currently have open enrollment in your area.

Training Duration & Structure

Training duration varies by trade, typically ranging from 3 to 6 months depending on the complexity of the skill being taught. Shorter courses (such as basic IT literacy) tend toward the lower end, while more technical trades (such as automotive repair) may run longer. Training is generally delivered at designated vocational training institutes partnered with BISP, with structured curricula combining practical hands-on instruction and some classroom theory.

Stipend & Certification

Trainees receive a monthly stipend throughout the training period, intended to support their basic needs while they are not earning regular income during the course. Upon successful completion, participants receive a nationally recognized certificate in their chosen trade — a credential that can be used when seeking formal employment, pursuing self-employment, or applying for further specialized training in the same field.

How to Register — Step by Step

1. Confirm your household's existing BISP enrollment at 8171.bisp.gov.pk or via SMS to 8171.
2. Visit your nearest Tehsil Office — Hunarmand registration is currently an in-person process only.
3. Bring your original CNIC, Matric certificate, and proof of your household's BISP enrollment.
4. Office staff will guide you through available trade options based on local training center capacity.
5. Select your preferred trade (subject to availability) and complete registration.
6. Receive your training schedule and start date from the partnered training institute.

Documents Needed

After Training — What Happens Next

Once a trainee successfully completes their course and receives certification, the programme's role is considered complete — Hunarmand does not directly place graduates into jobs. Graduates are expected to use their certification and new skills to:

• Apply for formal employment in their trained trade, using the certificate as proof of qualification.
• Start a small self-employment venture (e.g., a tailoring business, a small repair shop) using their new skills.
• Pursue further specialized or advanced training in the same field, where available.

Because outcomes depend on local labor market conditions and individual effort after training, Hunarmand should be understood as a skills foundation rather than a guaranteed employment pathway.

Hunarmand vs Other BISP Programmes

For the full Kafaalat breakdown and how it connects to the broader Ehsaas umbrella, see: BISP Kafalat Program Guide. For maternal and child nutrition support, see: Benazir Nashonuma — Nutrition Support Guide.