A good tip and greater professionalism

My cousin told me about the services provided by the Pakistani-German Facilitation and Reintegration Centre (PGFRC). He had taken part in a PGFRC training course himself. This is how I learned about the training course in how to start a business. It sounded great. My cousin advised me to simply contact the team. I registered for the training course in August 2021 in Islamabad.

This training course is aimed at people who want to become self-employed. We learned about bookkeeping and how to build up a customer base. The training also taught me that you need to constantly develop your business and keep reinvesting. That’s the only way to succeed. So I always set aside part of my earnings each day. I use this money to pay for operating costs or to buy materials.

Safe equipment and a stable income

I was also given a toolbox containing the necessary equipment at the end of the training course. Self-employed electricians in Pakistan don’t usually have any protective equipment. I’d never used it before. The training course means I now know how important it is. I’ll be using it from now on.

But the training also changed my attitudes and approaches to my work. My previous concerns were just about earning a daily wage. I became a self-employed electrician after the training course and have been offering to carry out repairs ever since. This has enabled me to earn a steady income and shape my own future.

On the road for his customers

At first, I wanted to open my own shop in the centre of my village. But then the demand for local repairs was so huge that I now use my motorbike to visit customers in their homes.

I repair household appliances such as washing machines, power systems or car batteries. I also sell essential electrical equipment and accessories like light bulbs, screwdrivers, electrical cable and used radios and music players. And I have a few smaller contracts that involve me in undertaking the complete electrical installation in new houses. What I’m really happy about is that some of my early customers have remained loyal to me. They’ve also spread the word that I’m now offering repairs as a self-employed electrician.

Since becoming self-employed in early 2022, I’ve already taken on 3 employees and currently employ 2 apprentices. I’m pleased that I can give others a job or an apprenticeship.