Enhancing

Livelihood

Skills 2014

Enhancing Livelihood Skills through Government

Vocational centers based training (ELST) in District

Mansehra & Haripur

Prepared By:

Mubashir Younis

Designation:

Project Coordinator (ELST)

S A L I K D E V E L O P M E N T F O U N D A T I O N

Introduction; Project Title Enhancing Livelihood Skills through Government vocational centers-based training (ELST) IP Salik Development Foundation (SDF) Donor Agency UNHCR Project Location Mansehra & Haripur Project Duration 1st October 2014 to 31st December 2014 Direct Beneficiaries Young Afghan Male & Female Indirect Beneficiaries Children, women and other family members of targeted trainees No of Direct Beneficiaries 160 (80 Male & 80 Female in Both Districts) No of Indirect Beneficiaries 1440 Project Document 1st Phase ELST Project Completion Report (1st October 2014 to 31st December 2014)

Background; The conflict in northern Afghanistan has disrupted social structures and destroyed livelihoods and Employment opportunities. A generation of youth has grown up in internally displaced person (IDP) camps amidst poverty, insecurity and without access to reliable services. In addition to widespread exposure to violence, children and youth in the North have had limited access to primary education and almost no access to higher education. As youth look towards peace, recovery and return, the majority face the challenge of securing a livelihood with little or no formal education or training. In 1979 war imposed by Soviet Union in Afghanistan about 6 million refugees fled to Pakistan and Iran. Pakistan is one the country hosting million of Afghan Refugees seriously affecting the economic suitability. Majority of Afghan Refugees are technically unequipped and even after return to their origin they usually find difficulties to support their families in a dignified manner and have minimum role in economic development of Afghanistan. In Pakistan majority of Afghan Refugees are daily laborer or have small business; living below poverty line and unable to play their role in socio economic development of Pakistan while their stay in Pakistan. The development of Technical and Vocational Education and Training is an essential cornerstone for the recovery process and poverty alleviation in Afghanistan. In recent times, this sub-sector has been under stress from war and significant under-investment in both new knowledge and infrastructure. The Afghan labor market currently faces an acute demand for skilled and semi-skilled people in order to cope with the rapid pace of reconstruction of the country. However, unemployment remains persistent among young Afghan because many do not have the technical skills that are urgently needed for the reconstruction and developing process as well as the overall economic development of the country. In absence of sufficient local skilled labor the country has to hire skilled workforce from other countries and pay high wages out.

ELST Project; Salik Development Foundation (SDF) with the financial and technical support of UNHCR has been implementing successful ELST project targeting 160 young Afghan (M/F) in two Districts Mansehra & Haripur of KPK, Pakistan. The basic theme of the ongoing project is to provide vocational skills to young Afghan Male & Female and establishing their market linkages so they may be able to take active part in economic development of Pakistan while their stay in Pakistan and when they return to their country they become an asset for Afghan Nation and contribute in skill labor market with equipped knowledge and innovative ideas. Provision of vocational/technical training to young Afghan M/F and establishing linkages with market is one the key initiative taken by UNHCR; through ELST project young afghan M/F trainees will attain 06 months vocational skill training through GVTCs (Government Vocational Training Centers); SDF is responsible to facilitate GVTCs administration in carrying out training course by providing training material and GVTCs Instructors and administration salaries ensuring their active participation and quality work.

SDF is also responsible to ensure regular attendance of trainees (M/F) with the support of committee members and GVTCs administration; SDF is responsible in provision of monthly stipend and travelling allowance in transparent way with the mutual cooperation and support of GVTCs administration and UNHCR. ELST project is in progress achieving the desired objectives within time frame completing its 1st phase from 1st October 2014 to 31st December 2014. SDF team is in close coordination with line departments, donor agency, GVTC administration and community stake holders to ensure timely achievement of objectives/targets within given time frame. The main theme of ELST project is to provide 06 months professional vocational/technical skills training to 160 young Afghan (M/F) and Linkages Development in District Mansehra & Haripur; ELST project will surely enhance the socio economic stability and peaceful repatriation of targeted families to Afghan; after landing on their origin targeted trainees will surely contribute in economic development of Afghan Government; they will be able to get new jobs and will be able to establish business.

Expected Out Comes Measurable Indicators

Peaceful Return of targeted Families to Afghanistan

No of targeted families returned to Afghanistan

Poverty Reduction No of trainees started apprenticeship program/ started own business or shop in market

New jobs opportunities No of trainees (M/F) getting jobs in Afghanistan or in any third country

Gender Equality No of women stating their own home based business/boutiques/shops or establishing their linkages with market stake holders

Access to basic health and education

No of children of targeted families enrolled in schools especially girls No of Children and women getting easy access to health services in the targeted community

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

Peaceful Return toAfghanistan

Poverty Reduction New JobsOpportunities

LinkagesDevelopment

Gender Equality Assess to basiceducation & Health

Expected Out Comes

ELST Project Achievements;

Identification and selection of 160 targeted beneficiaries (Afghan Male & Female) for 03 months vocational skills training

Enrollment of trainees at GVTCs (M/F) in their desire trades Signing of MOUs with GVTC (M/F) administration Completion of 03 months successful training of targeted trainees Monthly stipend and travelling allowance distribution among successful trainees (M/F) Disbursement of monthly salaries and training material cost in account of GVTCs (M/F) Principal Formation of SSCs and WDCs in targeted locations Community Awareness sessions with targeted trainees, SSCs/WDCs members Establishing market linkages of targeted trainees with local market stake holders Coordination and networking of trainees with market stake holders (Shop keepers/workshop owners,

Boutique owners, Industrialists, Businessmen) Local market visit/Assessment through active participation and mobilization of market stakeholders and

GVTC administration Initiating apprenticeship program for male trainees in their trades in Mansehra & Haripur District level seminar and walks on women empowerment through skill development and linkages

development Coordination meetings with line department, community stakeholders and donor agency Networking with humanitarian organizations and civil societies at District level Facilitating donor agency in conducting monitoring visits Regular follow up of trainees Proper documentation and record keeping as per UNHCR standard

Targets VS Achievements (1st October 2014 to 31st December 2014);

Activity Location Progress Achieved In Progress Pending

Identification & selection of trainees(M/F)

Brari Camp Mansehra Pani 1 & 2 Haripur

Enrollment of selected trainees in desire trades

GVTC (M/F) Mansehra & Haripur

Signing of MOUs with GVTC administration

Mansehra & Haripur

Distribution of monthly stipend and travelling allowance among trainees

Mansehra & Haripur

Provision of training material and monthly salaries as per MOU in the account of GVTC Principal

Mansehra & Haripur

Formation of Village committees (SSCs/WDCs)

Mansehra & Haripur

Community Awareness sessions Mansehra & Haripur

Linkages Development Mansehra & Haripur

Linkages and networking with line departments, civil societies and

Mansehra & Haripur

humanitarian organizations

Coordination and reporting to donor agency

Identification and Selection of beneficiaries;

To conduct base line survey through PRA tools SDF team was in field from 25th of September 2014; till 1st of October SDF arranged BBCMs (Broad Based Community Meetings) with community stake holders and Shuruh to collect targeted locations data and to identify and select trainees as per UNHCR transparent standard/criteria. Through active participation of community and line department (Afghan Refugees Administration) SDF ensured to select and finalized trainees in a transparent way completely full filling the UNHCR criteria; final trainees lists were shared with UNHCR, line department and other organizations to avoid duplication.

Beneficiaries Identification and Selection Enrollment of Selected Trainees; Identified and finalized beneficiaries were enrolled in GVTCs (M/F) in both Districts Mansehra & Haripur; trainees were enrolled in their desire trades as per finalized lists shared with UNHCR; community stake holders signed a resolution that they will support SDF and GVTC administration to ensure the regular attendance of targeted trainees.

Trainees Enrollment in desire trades at GVTC Mansehra & Haripur

Training Material and Monthly Wages amount; SDF initiated the ELST project by utilizing its own resources; SDF was in close coordination with UNHCR to transfer budget as per agreement on priority basis; as soon budget was transferred SDF management transferred the training material amount and monthly wages as per MOU in the account of GVTCs Principal accounts; to ensure work quality and transparency SDF team was in close coordination with GVTC administration ensuring training material quality and quantity.

SDF team handing over the training material cost and copies of agreements to GVTC administration

Trainees Regular Classes; SDF team ensured the regular attendance of trainees from 14th October 2014 to 31st December 2014 through active participation of committee members and GVTCs administration. SDF team took regular field visits and follow ups of targeted trainees to ensure their regular attendance and active participation in classes as per pre defined criteria and standard. SDF ensured the at least 75% of trainees attendance to make ELST project more productive and effective.

Male & Female trainees taking regular classes

Committee Formation; SDF believes in community participation and support to implement project in a smoothly manner ensuring the sustainability and transparency of the project. To manage and mitigate challenges and projects sustainability SDF formed SSCs & WDCs (Sub-Shuruh & Women Development committees) in the targeted communities; these committees supported SDF and GVTC administration as per their set SOPs and responsibilities in smooth implementation of ELST project activities in timely manner; through active participation of community SDF believes that ELST project out comes will be more effective and fruitful especially in mobilizing the targeted families in their peaceful return to Afghanistan and establishing Market Linkages.

SSCs and WDCs formation in Mansehra & Haripur

Community Awareness Sessions; It was one of the severe challenges for SDF team that targeted Afghan community is minimal mobilized and aware about technical education and its importance, current status in Afghanistan regarding deficiency of skilled labors, market linkages, income generation and basic human rights especially women are the most deprived and vulnerable targeted group they do not even have right of decision making, access to basic health and education services, their role in socio economic stability of society and nation. As per ELST project proposal document and given time frame SDF team conducted a field survey to know the prior knowledge of local community especially female group about above mentioned issues; result was not satisfactory on the basis of field survey SDF team designed and developed session manual and successfully conducted community awareness sessions through active learning tools to ensure active and productive participation of the local stake holders and community. After completing awareness sessions SDF team conducted training evaluation activity to know the effect of sessions and got positive results through trainee’s feedback and suggestions. During sessions 360 trainees were trained regarding their basic issues and new innovative ideas through which they can maximum utilize their skills and can contribute in economic sustainability.

SDF Team busy in taking Community Awareness Sessions

Group Photo of trainees with smiling faces and taking refreshment after session

Linkages Development and Exposure Visits; ELST project is designed in such a way that on one side it is providing vocational/technical training to young Afghan Refugees and on other hand building their capacities regarding income generation and market linkages. One of the draw back in Pakistan that Government Institutions, civil societies and Humanitarian organizations usually focus on provision of skill development through provision of vocational/technical trainings, establishment of vocational centers but unfortunately the approach towards linkages development is neglected.; so the successful trainees are unable to perform better and unable to utilize their skills in market having minimum contribution in socio economic development. Main purpose of provision of skill training and objective of projects are not achieved due to lack of guidance and establishing their linkages with concerning stake holders.

Market Visit/Survey and Initiating Internship Program for trainees in Mansehra & Haripur SDF has planned to establish and strengthen the linkages of targeted group with concerning key stake holders so they may be able to utilize their skills and can contribute in socio economic development and sustainability in a dignified manner. In 1st phase (from 1st October 2014 to 31st March 2014) linkages development activity is designed and in under progress with success; SDF with the support of GVTC administration arranged successful local market visits and coordination meeting of trainees with market stake holders and initiating apprenticeship program for targeted trainees. Through apprenticeship program 17 Male trainees started internship program with local market stake holders workshop owners, shopkeepers and businessmen). This activity is bringing positive impacts bringing motivation among trainees especially in female and their families to return peacefully to Afghanistan to utilize their skills in their country playing role in economic stability of Afghanistan. Establishing market linkages and close coordination with market stake holders surely will motivate the trainees; this is time taking activity and will also be carried out in next phase (1st January 2015 to 31st March 2015). Seminar, Walks, Exposure visits, coordination meetings, Display centers are also part of linkages development activity.

Female trainees visiting local Boutiques and garment shops in Haripur

Monthly Stipend and Travelling Allowance for Trainees;

As per proposed project design and implementing plan targeted Afghan trainees (M/F) would get monthly stipend

and travelling allowance (7500 PKR) after every month according to attendance (200/day); it was informed to

trainees and SSCs members to ensure at least 80 % of attendance is compulsory for trainees so they will be able to

get sufficient knowledge ensuring quality of work. SDF team is taking regular follow ups of trainees and in close

contact with GVTC administration and Instructors to ensure quality of work and timely achievement of proposed

objectives.

SDF team ensured to motivate and mobilized trainees and key stake holders ensuring almost 95 % of trainee’s

attendance in classes. Trainees have completed successful one month vocational trainings under the supervision of

GVTCs administration. SDF arranged “Stipend and Travelling Allowance Disbursement Ceremony” at GVTC (M/F)

Haripur with the financial support of UNHCR to distribute stipend and travelling allowances among trainees after

completion of every successful training month.

Ceremonies Venue:

GVTC (M/F) Haripur

GVTC (M/F) Mansehra

Ceremony Participants:

SDF team

UNHCR representative

Afghan Refugees Regional Administrative

GVTCs (M/F) Administration and Instructors

Civil societies and Humanitarian organizations representatives (CWS P/A, SDO, WEO, Sungi Development

Organization, Aurat Association Friends Association, Marie stopes and AWARDS )

SSCs and WDCs members

Press Media members

Targeted Trainees(M/F)

Coordination and Networking;

SDF since 1989 strongly believes in networking and close coordination with line department and other humanitarian

organizations to ensure work quality, mitigating challenges and to ensure projects sustainability and transparency.

To implement ELST project SDF is in close coordination with UNHCR management, line departments especially with

GVTC administration and Afghan Refugees Administration; it is one of the key of success of on-going ELST project

that SDF team is in close coordination with all key stake holders and same strategy will be adopted for future.

SDF team, UNHCR, Afghan Refugees Administartion and GVTC administartion in close coordination

UNHCR Field/Monitoring Visits; SDF facilitated UNHCR monitoring teams in conducting fields/monitoring visits at GVTC (M/F) in Mansehra and Haripur and in Afghan camps; UNHCR monitoring teams frequently conducted monitoring field visits and gave positive feed-back regarding ongoing ELST project activities; SDF team showed commitment and devotion towards achieving the proposed objectives reflected by work quality at grass root level. It is also one of the key successes of the ELST project is that SDF and UNHCR is on one boat/plat form to implement project smoothly ensuring projects sustainability, quality work and transparency. SDF is looking forward for new innovative ideas and guideline from UNHCR high ups to implement ELST project in more effective way.

UNHCR Monitoring teams visiting GVTC (M/F) in Mansehra & Haripur at regular intervals

Donor Visibility;

Donor visibility is also one of the key responsibility of IP (SDF); SDF ensured to install sign boards, pana flexes and

banners in GVTCs (M/F) and in community as per UNHCR approved standard. Sign boards and banners clearly

displaying SDF office adress and telephone numbers so every benefeciary would be able to contact key persons for

new ideas, suggestions or comapliants.

Donor Visibility through installation of sign Boards at GVTCs

Recommendations;

SDF has a pool of professionals and experienced team members having lot of experience to manage and implement

Livelihood projects; especially vocational skills development and marketing. SDF team is heartily thankful to UNHCR

management for close coordination and guidelines and always welcomes the close coordination and communication

with UNHCR team management and high ups in future.