AYUBIA, July 28: In line with the vision of Director Youth Affairs Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Abbas Khan Afridi, to actively engage young people in productive and skill-based initiatives that enable them to learn, earn, and build sustainable livelihoods, the Directorate of Youth Affairs Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, in collaboration with THE NATIVES, successfully organized a four-day entrepreneurship and product development training programme titled “From Home to Market.”
Held at the Khanaspur Youth Hostel, Ayubia, from July 26 to 29, the programme brought together 40 young participants from across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, including the Newly Merged Districts. The initiative aimed to equip youth with practical knowledge and market-oriented skills in the manufacturing of everyday household and personal care products, encouraging them to explore self-employment and small business opportunities.
The comprehensive training covered the formulation and production of a range of essential consumer products, including soaps, shampoos, hand sanitisers, hand wash, and dish wash liquids. Unlike conventional classroom-based workshops, the programme combines the interactive lectures with extensive hands-on practical sessions, allowing every participant to personally prepare and test the products under expert supervision.
The training was conducted by distinguished experts, including Dr Rasool Khan, Director of the Institute of Chemical Sciences, University of Peshawar, Dr Zafar Khan, and Anwar Ul Haq, who shared their technical expertise, industry insights, and practical knowledge with the participants. The sessions were effectively facilitated and coordinated by Ms Munazza Fayaz, who ensured smooth delivery of both the theoretical and practical components of the programme.
Throughout the four-day event, participants demonstrated remarkable enthusiasm, commitment, and eagerness to learn. They actively engaged in laboratory exercises, formulation experiments, product testing, and discussions on quality control, packaging, and market potential. The practical nature of the training enabled the youth to gain confidence in producing commercially viable products using accessible materials and techniques.
Speaking about the initiative, organisers highlighted that the programme reflects the Directorate of Youth Affairs’ commitment to empowering young people through skill development and entrepreneurship. They noted that under the leadership and vision of Director Youth Affairs Abbas Khan Afridi, the Directorate continues to introduce innovative programmes that not only enhance the employability of youth but also encourage them to become job creators rather than job seekers.
Participants expressed great satisfaction with the training, describing it as an eye-opening and highly beneficial learning experience. Many shared that they had acquired practical skills that could be immediately utilised to establish small-scale businesses from their homes with modest investment. They appreciated the opportunity to work directly with experienced professionals and gain first-hand experience in product manufacturing.
Several participants said the programme had inspired them to launch their own brands of household and personal care products, believing that the knowledge and confidence gained during the training would enable them to contribute to their family’s income while serving local markets with quality products.
The successful completion of the “From Home to Market” programme marks another significant step by the Directorate of Youth Affairs Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in promoting entrepreneurship, innovation, and economic empowerment among the province’s youth. By providing practical, market-driven skills and fostering an entrepreneurial mindset, the initiative is expected to create new opportunities for self-employment and sustainable livelihoods across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
