BISP Announces Benazir Hunarmand Program for Vocational Training and Stipends

What Happened

According to an announcement from the Benazir Income Support Program (BISP), the Benazir Hunarmand Program has been introduced to provide free technical and vocational training to eligible beneficiaries and their family members [1]. The program includes the following features:

• Free training in fields such as Information Technology (IT), healthcare, hotel management, construction, beauty services, and fashion and textiles [1].
• Monthly stipends for participants [1].
• Certificates upon completion [1].
• A graduation bonus, though BISP has not specified the exact amount or payment conditions for this bonus [1].
• Training durations ranging from three to six months depending on the selected field [1].

Additionally, BISP Chairperson Senator Rubina Khalid and SZABIST ZABTech Executive Director Waheed Mahesar discussed a proposed pilot project for the Benazir Hunarmand Programme (BHP) [2]. This pilot project, directed by First Lady Aseefa Bhutto Zardari, plans to provide vocational training to 50 women from BISP beneficiary families [2]. The pilot aims to include 25 women from Karachi and 25 women from Shaheed Benabad [2]. This specific training will last three months and cover trades including hospitality, IT and digital skills, beauty services, stitching, handicrafts, mobile phone repair, solar technology, and entrepreneurship [2]. Participants in this pilot are expected to receive a monthly stipend for transportation costs and toolkits upon successful completion [2].

Who Is Affected

The program is designed for individuals registered with BISP and eligible members of their families [1]. The proposed pilot project specifically targets 50 women from beneficiary families located in Karachi and Shaheed Benabad [2].

What Students Should Do Next

Interested candidates can register through the official Benazir Hunarmand Program portal at hunarmand.bisp.gov.pk [1]. The registration process involves the following steps:

• Visit the website and review the eligibility guidelines [1].
• Select the registration option [1].
• Provide required personal information, including CNIC details and an active mobile number [1].
• Review all information carefully before submitting the application [1].

BISP will review all submitted information to decide if an applicant qualifies [1]. For those unable to use the online portal, an alternative option is to visit the nearest BISP Tehsil Office [1]. Applicants visiting the office must bring their original, valid Computerized National Identity Card (CNIC) and an active mobile number [1]. BISP staff are available to guide eligible applicants through the registration process [1].