Building Skills, Confidence, and New Beginnings

In Halabja, a city defined by resilience and the strength of its young people, SEED launched the Skills for Life program — an initiative designed to equip women and youth with the technical and life skills they need to thrive in their personal and professional lives. With the support of SEED’s generous donors and in collaboration with the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs, participants received hands-on training in two tracks: Electricity & Solar Power and Computer & Graphic Design, alongside an essential Life Skills component to strengthen their well-being, communication, and confidence.

For many participants, the program has opened doors that once felt out of reach.

“They taught us so much about our own psychology” — Ahmed

Ahmed*, a participant in the Electricity and Solar Power training, shared how transformative the experience has been.

“Even though the course mainly focused on solar energy system, we also learned a great deal about electric power — both in theory and in practice,” he said. “Now that we’ve completed the training, I can proudly say that we’re ready to work in pairs and apply these skills in real settings.”

Ahmed found the Life Skills sessions just as meaningful, “They taught us so much about our own psychology — things we never reflected on before. The importance of mental health, and how we manage everyday situations.”

Like many of his peers, Ahmed is a recent graduate who has struggled to access work opportunities. “Most of us haven’t been employed yet, neither in the public nor private sector. We are the children of this city, and many of us come from struggling families,” he shared. “I hope this course continues and that it can offer ongoing support — maybe internships or something practical that keeps us connected to this field, so we don’t lose the skills we’ve gained.”

He highlighted stress management, active listening, and self-awareness as some of the most valuable skills — tools he believes he will need not only in future workplaces, but in the way he handles challenges in life.

Finding Her Voice Through Design — Bayan

For Bayan*, who joined the Graphic Design training, the course was a long-awaited chance to build a skill she had always been drawn to.

“The graphic design course was amazing. We learned about Photoshop and Illustrator — their components, tools, and techniques,” she said. “There were many homework assignments and classwork, which helped us learn faster.”

Like Ahmed, she also found the Life Skills component essential. “These topics make us think about new aspects of life — our mental health, our well-being, how to control stress and deal with people daily. We learned a lot about ourselves,” she explained.

One of Bayan’s proudest achievements came even before the training ended, “This course gave me the tools to launch my own Instagram page and start promoting myself as a freelancer. I’m using the assignments we create — like business cards — to build my portfolio. It’s only been a week since I started, but I already feel more confident.”

For participants without laptops, learning tools like Canva — accessible on a phone — made the course even more inclusive.

Skills for Life, Skills for Work

All participants spoke about how Life Skills made them feel more self-aware, more confident, and better equipped to navigate challenges — whether in future workplaces, in their families, or within their communities. These sessions fostered supportive learning environments that encouraged dialogue, built connections, and helped young people understand their strengths.

Through Skills for Life, young people in Halabja are gaining the tools they need to pursue employment, explore entrepreneurship, and build confidence in their futures. With continued support, these skills will serve as building blocks toward long-term economic participation and wellbeing.

*Names and some details have been adjusted to protect confidentiality.