KARACHI – The Abbassciy Family Foundation (TAFF) marked the graduation of its seventh cohort of students from its Vocational Training Institute (TAFF-VTI) today at a ceremony held in Karachi. Attended by faculty, staff, industry partners, students and their families, and alumni of TAFF, the ceremony was a great success at marking a key milestone in the lives of the graduates.
Ms. Frieha Altaf, CEO of Catwalk event management and productions, leading entrepreneur, businesswoman, and supporter of women’s empowerment, was the Guest of Honor at the ceremony. Addressing the occasion, she said “As a female entrepreneur, I strongly support women achieving economic independence, equality and freedom. 60% of educated Pakistani women are not working after marriage. By maximizing women’s economic participation, Pakistan can accelerate its economic growth, and eradicate poverty. I admire and appreciate TAF Foundation’s role for women in the field of vocational educational & training.”
Course completion certificates were distributed among graduates who had successfully completed the 4-month intensive training program in the fields of Customer Service & Retail Sales, Elderly Care Assistant and Cooking & Housekeeping. Shields were awarded to the top 3 position holders and appreciation certificates were presented to students who maintained 100% attendance throughout the course.
Mr. Azfar Saeed Baig, CEO, TAF Foundation, while addressing the gathering, said: “Women are society’s backbone. TAFF’s mission is to eliminate injustice against women by empowering them to become economically independent. Around 400 women have graduated from TAFF-VTI; 92% of them have found gainful employment subsequently, earning about Rs. 21,000 per month.”
About TAFF: TAF Foundation offers free of cost courses for women in the areas of Customer Service & Retail Sales, Elderly Care Assistance and Cooking & Housekeeping. These courses are taught by experienced and qualified trainers after which the graduates are placed at premium salaries in the industry and households. TAF Foundation aims to bring change in the lives of underserved women by empowering them, and in the process, providing the industry access to skilled workforce through human development.
