Livelihood Beneficiaries
310+
Cutting, Stitching & Embroidery
50+
Block Printing
70+
Leather Crafts
8,971+
Computer Skills
840+
Grooming Skills
1,370+
Electrical Skills
Behbud Vocational Training Centres
Since its inception, Behbud Association Karachi has remained committed to empowering women through vocational training. In 1970, we established our first vocational training center in Mehmoodabad, which was known as the Tailoring House at that time. Women received professional training in valuable traditional skills such as sewing, cutting, block printing, and both hand and machine embroidery. In 1995, we expanded our reach by establishing another Vocational Training Centre in Clifton. Our vocational training centres are registered with the Sindh Board of Technical Education (SBTE), enabling our graduating trainees to take the SBTE’s certificate and diploma examinations.
Our aim is to empower these women with practical skills that can lead to income-generating opportunities for their families, fostering self-sufficiency. These skilled women can not only create clothing for their families but also seize the opportunity to produce marketable items for sale. Following vocational training courses are offered at our training centres for women, girls and boys.
- Industrial Homes
- Cutting, Stitching & Embroidery Courses
- Block Printing Courses
- Grooming Courses
- Leather Crafts Courses
- Computer Courses
- Electrical Skills Training Course
Industrial Homes
Our Industrial Homes at Mehmoodabad and Clifton continue to successfully cater to the needs of women and girls from the neighboring areas who aspire to learn and acquire expertise in hand and machine embroidery, cutting, stitching, and sewing.
These training centres also act as our production units, therefore, they are fully equipped with a complete range of industrial-grade tools & equipment, including sewing machines, embroidery machines, cutting tables, and irons. So from day one, our students learn to use and handle the professional machinery, which helps them to be more efficient and productive afterwards.
Cutting, Stitching & Embroidery Courses
Our qualified and experienced instructors not only train and educate but also prepare our students to appear in the Sindh Board of Technical Education (SBTE) examinations upon successful completion of our two-year diploma program.
We offer a range of courses to suit different skill levels:
- Six-Month Short Course
- One-Year Certification
- Advanced Two-Year Diploma
Block Printing Courses
Block Printing is not just about artistry. When individuals opt for such courses, they gain more than skills, they gain independence. By mastering this craft, they can earn a living and become financially self-reliant.
This course is conducted by qualified instructors, who are also managing our production units. They teach the students how to work with different types of fabrics like silk, cotton, and velvet and with a variety of blocks to create intricate designs on them. The students are able design and develop finished products such as tablecloths, napkin sets, prayer mats with matching dupattas, silk scarves, kurtas and many other such handmade products. These students sometimes also get hired at our production units.
Grooming Courses
Our Grooming Courses are all about empowering women and helping them in enhancing their livelihoods. The Grooming Center was setup in 2012, thanks to a generous donor from Nairobi and Mrs. Daulat Rahmatullah from Ravissant, who provided technical support and helped design the syllabus for these courses as well.
At the Grooming Centre, we offer a variety of courses, each spanning six months.
- Beautician Courses: Basic & Advanced
- Mehndi Courses: Basic & Advanced
- Hair Styling Course
- Hair Care Course
Leather Crafts Course
At Behbud, our unwavering commitment lies in skill development. Through our vocational training programs, we equip individuals with valuable abilities that blend tradition, creativity, and opportunity. Our leather crafts course spans approximately six months and was initially established to train both girls and boys in leather goods production. Over time, it has evolved beyond leather alone. We now work with various materials, including leatherette, jamavar, jute, other textiles, and associated accessories. Trainees learn to design and create a range of different products, such as baby bags, photo frames, gift envelopes, wallets, handbags, diaries, folders, lamp shades, mats, and coasters.
The impact of our leather crafts course is significant. Many underprivileged individuals achieve financial stability by mastering these skills and securing jobs in leather product manufacturing companies.
Computer Courses
Behbud’s Computer Courses were designed for the under-resourced youth and professionals in communities around Karachi. Our well-equipped lab, generously supported by the HBL Foundation, offers essential computer training courses to students and professionals.
The courses cover basic computer skills, including Microsoft Office applications, graphic designing, textile and fashion design tools, website development, basic hardware, networking, and more. These courses are targetted towards career oriented youth, interested in IT fields & computer technology, corporate professionals and school sector staff looking to upgrade their IT skills. The trainees are able to secure good jobs as well as provide different IT services working from home using on-line platforms.
Electrical Skills Training Course
Behbud’s Electrical Skills Training course, initiated in May 2003 at our Clifton complex, is registered with the Sind Technical Board (STB). The primary goal of this course is to equip underprivileged boys with a valuable and marketable skill as there is a strong market demand for such skilled professionals. Most of our graduates find employment opportunities even before completing the course.
Course details are as follows.
Duration: Six Months (Three months training on Household wiring & Three months training on Industrial Wiring)
Classes: Three hours a day, five days a week.
Curriculum: Covers theory during the first hour, followed by two hours of practical training.
Eligibility: Minimum qualification required for enrollment is completion of Class 8.
Behbud Production Units
Our production units exist to help our beneficiaries become self-sufficient. We focus on empowering underprivileged women and their families by offering them with income-generating opportunities. On average, our workers earn about PKR 12,000 per week. We mainly outsource work to women in under-resourced areas near our centers, and some of them are able to earn around PKR 40,000 per month. Currently, Behbud successfully operates three production units.
- Sozankari Production Unit
- Color Wheel Production Unit
- Leather Crafts Production Unit
These units collaborate to make various handmade products, which we then sell at our marketing outlets, Behbud Creations shop, the Behbud kiosk at Habitt, and our eCommerce website.
Sozankari Production Unit
The Sozankari project employs women and girls, who receive in-house training at our Industrial Homes. These skilled individuals excel in stitching, cutting, and embroidery. They design and develope infant and children’s clothing, women’s clothing and accessories, home linen and other textile products.
Our reatail outlets, Behbud Creations shop, Behbud kiosk at Habitt, and our eCommerce website, showcase and sell the excellent craftsmanship of these artisans. Not only does this provide constant work for them, but it also contributes to their family income.
Color Wheel Production Unit
Behbud established first block printing unit at the Clifton Centre in 1995, led by a master craftsman and trainer. Since then, many individuals have benefited from this unit through training and direct employment. The unit is well-equipped, featuring three purpose-built tables for block printing and a smaller table for ironing. It houses several hundred printing blocks, along with the necessary required chemicals and colors. All the design and color combinations are decided by the Chair and Co-chairperson of this program. Senior staff members execute these designs, guiding trainees and the part-time skilled workers.
The unit produces various sought-after products, including tablecloths, table runners, mats, tea cozies, napkins, and ladies’ shirts. Once printed, these products then undergo finishing in the Sozankari unit.
Leather Crafts Production Unit
Originally established to train both girls and boys in crafting leather products, this unit has evolved significantly over the years. While its core purpose remains intact, the range of materials it works with has expanded. In addition to leather, the unit now handles rexine, ornate fabric, block-printed fabric, durable materials, and related accessories.
The unit employs a dedicated full-time skilled staff member who has received training on-site and has been part of the unit for over 15 years. Supporting this core sole staff are workers from the local community. These community members visit the center daily, taking work that can be completed at home.
Throughout the year, the unit produces a variety of products, including fabric and rexine bags, baby bags, tissue boxes, lipstick covers, book covers, money gift envelopes, gift bags, mobile pouches, ladies’ wallets and many other prdoucts. All of these items are then shipped out and showcased for retail at our marketing outlets, Behbud Creations shop, Behbud kiosk at Habitt, and our eCommerce website.
