Supported by European Commission (EC), the project, 'Enhancing socio-economic development through investing in human capital in Punjab and Sindh' seeks to improve the TVET sector by working on relevance, quality, access and equity of TVET services predominantly for the deprived communities, and exclusively focuses on rural women and youth in Sindh and Southern Punjab. The target districts for the project include Multan, Muzaffargarh, Vehari, Rajanpur in Punjab and district Tando Allahyar, Thatta and Mirpur Khas in Sindh.

This report documents a baseline study carried out as part of the preparatory stage by the project to assess the present situation in the target locations and set bench marks against the performance indicators identified in the project design. The study aimed to identify marketable skills, technical and vocational training needs of rural women and youth, barriers, challenges and opportunities regarding youth and women's employability and self-employment in the seven target districts. The study employed both quantitative and qualitative data gathering tools including a questionnaire survey, FGDs and In-depth interviews with key stakeholders complimented by a literature review.