Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has announced further employment opportunities for rural women through the provincial government’s SheThreads programme, which provides vocational training and pathways into the textile industry.
The initiative has already helped 1,150 women complete their training and secure employment, while the provincial government has set a target of training 2,500 women by June 2027.
Under the programme, selected participants receive a monthly stipend of Rs15,000 during a three-month training course covering industrial sewing and apparel supervision.
Registration for the latest intake has started, with the Women Development Department focusing on women from rural areas of Lahore. After completing their training successfully, participants will be connected with employment opportunities in the textile sector.
The programme aims to improve women’s access to marketable skills, create income opportunities and help rural communities benefit from industrial employment.
SheThreads Programme Provides Jobs for Trained Women
The SheThreads programme is a Punjab government initiative designed to equip rural women with practical skills required by the textile and garment manufacturing industries.
Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz said that 1,150 women had already completed training and secured jobs through the initiative.
The government now aims to increase the programme’s reach by training 2,500 women by June 2027.
The initiative focuses on preparing participants for employment in textile factories and related businesses rather than limiting training to classroom-based learning.
Successful participants are expected to gain practical experience that can help them enter the industrial workforce and develop long-term earning opportunities.
The programme is being implemented through the Punjab Women Development Department in collaboration with the Punjab Skills Development Fund (PSDF). <Cite refs={[“turn398762search1″,”turn398762search0”]}/>
Women to Receive Rs15,000 Monthly Stipend
One of the main features of SheThreads is the financial support offered to participants during their training.
Selected women will receive a monthly stipend of Rs15,000 throughout the three-month course.
This means participants can receive a total stipend of Rs45,000 over the complete training period, subject to attendance and programme conditions.
The financial assistance is intended to help women manage expenses while learning practical skills.
The training itself is provided free of charge under the programme, according to the Women Development Department.
The combination of free vocational education and a monthly stipend is designed to make participation more accessible to women from rural and less-developed communities.
Three-Month Training in Industrial Sewing and Apparel Supervision
The SheThreads programme focuses on two important areas of textile manufacturing: industrial sewing and apparel supervision.
Participants receive practical training as industrial sewing machine operators and apparel supervisors.
The three-month course combines classroom instruction with hands-on learning to familiarise trainees with the working requirements of the textile industry.
Industrial sewing training can prepare participants to operate machinery used in garment production, while apparel supervision focuses on monitoring production activities and maintaining workplace standards.
The programme’s broader training framework also includes market-oriented textile skills, with the objective of preparing women for different roles across the garment manufacturing sector.
The Women Development Department describes SheThreads as a skills-development initiative that can help women enter formal employment or explore self-employment opportunities. <Cite refs={[“turn398762search1″,”turn398762search5”]}/>
Who Can Apply for the SheThreads Programme?
According to the latest registration information reported on November 3, the current intake is intended for rural women in Lahore who meet the programme’s eligibility requirements.
The reported criteria include:
- Age: Applicants must be between 18 and 45 years old.
- Domicile: Candidates must hold a Punjab domicile.
- Education: At least a matriculation qualification is required for the current intake.
- Location: The current registration drive is focused on eligible women from rural areas of Lahore.
Applicants should prepare their original identity cards and domicile certificates for the registration and verification process.
Selected candidates may also be required to submit an affidavit before admission.
Women interested in applying should confirm the latest eligibility requirements with the Women Development Department or the designated training centre before submitting their documents. <Cite refs={[“turn140786view1″,”turn398762search7”]}/>
Where Can Women Register for SheThreads Training?
Registration for the latest intake has started for eligible women from rural areas of Lahore.
According to the published registration details, the training is being conducted at Shahkam Industries on Multan Road, Lahore.
Interested candidates can visit the designated facility with their identity cards and domicile certificates to obtain information about admission and eligibility verification.
Applicants can also seek guidance through assistant commissioners, union council secretaries and relevant district offices.
The Women Development Department provides programme information through its official website:
Punjab Women Development Department – SheThreads
Candidates should use official channels for registration details and avoid paying unauthorised individuals claiming to guarantee admission or employment.
Textile Industry to Provide Employment Opportunities
The main objective of SheThreads is to connect trained women with employment opportunities in Pakistan’s textile and garment manufacturing sector.
Women who successfully complete the course will be facilitated in finding jobs with textile industry employers.
The programme’s employment focus is important because vocational training becomes more valuable when participants can apply their skills in actual workplaces.
Industrial sewing machine operators and apparel supervisors are among the roles that require practical knowledge of production processes and workplace standards.
By providing industry-related training, the government aims to help women develop skills that can be used to earn an income and contribute to their household finances.
The initiative also has the potential to support textile businesses by increasing the availability of trained workers.
Maryam Nawaz Also Expands Women’s Driving Training
Separately, the Punjab government has taken steps to provide women with additional employment-related skills through driving training programmes.
Following earlier initiatives involving taxi and scooter driving, Lahore Traffic Police expanded its training activities to include rickshaws.
According to reports, 34 women received rickshaw-driving training through sessions conducted at driving schools in Bahria Town and Manawan in collaboration with a private university.
City Traffic Officer Syed Abdul Rahim Shirazi said the programme was intended to create respectable employment opportunities and help women become financially independent.
The initiative is separate from SheThreads but reflects the provincial government’s broader efforts to introduce practical skills that women can use to pursue different career opportunities. <Cite refs={[“turn140786view2”]}/>
How SheThreads Could Support Rural Women’s Economic Independence
The SheThreads programme is intended to address employment barriers faced by women in rural communities by providing practical training, financial support and access to industry-related jobs.
For many women, limited access to vocational institutes and employment opportunities can make it difficult to enter the formal workforce.
A structured training programme with a monthly stipend can help reduce some of these barriers while giving participants the opportunity to develop marketable skills.
The initiative could also benefit families by creating additional sources of household income and encouraging greater participation by women in economic activities.
Its long-term impact will depend on the quality of training, availability of placements and the ability of participants to secure and retain employment after completing their courses.
With 1,150 women already reported to have completed training and obtained jobs, the government’s target of reaching 2,500 women by June 2027 represents the next stage of the programme.
For eligible rural women in Lahore, registration for the latest intake provides an opportunity to receive free textile training, a monthly stipend of Rs15,000 and access to employment opportunities in the industry.
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