What STEP Skills Development Foundation does

STEP Skills Development Foundation (SSDF) is a Pakistan-based non-profit foundation headquartered at 93 B3, Gulberg III, Lahore, operating since 2003 as a project of STEP College and sister organization to STEP IADM. The foundation delivers Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) using Competency-Based Training (CBT) and Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) methodologies, supplemented by a Training Need Analysis (TNA) process. Its core products span eight thematic areas: Vocational Education & Training, the Sunday School for Child Labor (free education plus an annual Rs. 12,000 stipend), Youth Employment and Entrepreneurship, Gender Equality programs, Cultural Preservation, Environment Sustainability, and TVET/Corporate Consultancy, plus government and donor-funded courses. SSDF pioneered CBT and undergraduate-level RPL in Pakistan in close collaboration with NAVTTC.

SSDF serves predominantly marginalized Pakistani populations — youth aged 15–35, women and girls from rural and minority communities, child laborers, and religious minorities (particularly Christians) — alongside institutional buyers such as NAVTTC, TEVTA, GIZ, PPAF, and PLAN International. The go-to-market is community-led, relying on referrals through churches, NGOs, partner schools, and grassroots outreach rather than paid acquisition channels, with programming distributed across Punjab (Lahore, South Punjab, Muzaffargarh), Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, and Gilgit-Baltistan.

The organization's revenue model is grant-driven rather than commercial: services to beneficiaries are offered free of charge, while funded streams come from international donors (European Union, GIZ, JICA), government bodies (NAVTTC, TEVTA), and development NGOs (PPAF, PLAN International, AGAHE). A consultancy line monetizes SSDF's TVET expertise through curriculum development, DACUM, competency standards, and training-of-trainer work for government and industry stakeholders, and the foundation also operates a small events/exhibitions line (art competitions, cultural showcases). With only 5 disclosed employees and a multi-donor partnership base, SSDF functions as a lean implementation partner rather than a scaled delivery organization.

Name

STEP Skills Development Foundation

Legal name

STEP Skills Development Foundation

Website

https://ssdf.org.pk

Company type

Private

Founded year

2011

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

STEP Skills Development Foundation (SSDF) is a Lahore-based Pakistani non-profit delivering vocational training, youth employment programs, and Sunday School education to marginalized youth, women, child laborers, and minority communities, funded by grants from EU, GIZ, NAVTTC, TEVTA, and development NGOs across Pakistan.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Vocational Training Services

NAICS

Technical and Trade Schools (6115), Other Technical and Trade Schools (611519), Apprenticeship Training (611513)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Professional & Applied Skills Noncredit Certificates (Non-licensure) (EDAAAEAD)

akta.pro secondary industry

Education Systems & Skills Technical Assistance (BPADAEAI)

Keywords

• Vocational training services
• Technical education programs
• Youth employment programs
• Gender equality initiatives
• Cultural preservation programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Lahore

HQ country

Pakistan

HQ region

Asia

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Donations and Grants: As a non-profit foundation, SSDF operates primarily through donations, grants, and funding from international organizations, government bodies, and partner organizations. The foundation receives support from entities like the European Union, GIZ, and various NGO partners.
2. Vocational Training Services: SSDF provides vocational education and training courses, some funded through external partnerships and some offered free to deserving students. Revenue is generated through funded training programs with government and non-governmental organizations.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

SSDF is a non-profit foundation delivering vocational education and skills training programs in Pakistan, including competency-based training (CBT) and Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) across trades such as fashion design, beauty therapy, computer applications, and hand embroidery. The foundation supplements core training with a free Sunday School literacy program for child laborers, women empowerment initiatives, cultural preservation activities, environmental sustainability campaigns, and TVET consultancy services for government and corporate clients.

Product overview

STEP Skills Development Foundation (SSDF) is a non-profit organization offering a portfolio of interconnected educational and training programs focused on poverty alleviation through skills development. The core offerings include Vocational Education & Training (VET) with competency-based courses spanning fashion design, beauty therapy, IT, and trades; the Sunday School for Child Labor providing literacy and vocational training to child laborers; Youth Employment and Entrepreneurship programs with competitions and scholarships; Gender Equality initiatives for women empowerment; Cultural Preservation activities; Environment Sustainability campaigns; and TVET Consultancy services. The organization acts as a bridge between vocational training providers and industry, facilitating placement and Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) certifications.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Vocational Education & Training (VET) Technical and vocational training programs providing practical skills for employment, including courses in fashion design, beauty therapy, computer applications, and trades such as Dress Designing and Beauty Therapy. Targeted at Pakistani youth and marginalized communities seeking marketable skills.
• Sunday School for Child Labor Literacy program providing free education and vocational skills training to children engaged in labor, with free classes, vocational training, free lunches, and an annual stipend of Rs. 12,000 to enrolled children. Operates on Sundays, the only day off from work for child laborers.
• Youth Employment and Entrepreneurship Programs Programs empowering youth through skill development, competitions, exhibitions, and scholarship opportunities aimed at employment and entrepreneurial development. Includes art competitions, Pandora Performing Art, and partnerships with Beacon House College.
• Gender Equality Programs Women empowerment initiatives including vocational training, scholarships for minorities (Anna Molka Scholarship), beauty therapy courses, and advocacy programs targeting gender inequality. Includes Girls Advocacy Project with PLAN International.
• Cultural Preservation Programs Activities promoting Pakistani cultural heritage through art exhibitions, performances, truck art, traditional crafts, Safar-e-Buland Gilgit-Baltistan costumes event, and cultural dialogues celebrating diversity.
• Environment Sustainability Programs Environmental awareness campaigns including recycling workshops, the Green Pakistan tree planting initiative (5,000 trees planted), bi-annual blood donation camps with Sundas Foundation, and health awareness programs including Pink Ribbon cancer awareness.
• TVET & Corporate Consultancy Technical and vocational education consultancy services for government and industry stakeholders, including curriculum development, training of trainers, DACUM development, competency standards development, teaching learning materials, and assessment packages. Clients include GIZ, NAVTTC, and TEVTA.
• Funded Courses Government and donor-funded vocational training programs offered free to deserving candidates across various trades, delivered in partnership with government bodies and NGOs.

Named customers10 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

22 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• GIZ (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSSDF has been providing consultancy and training services to GIZ for over five years. Key staff participate in TVET reforms training, development of DACUM, competency standards, curriculum, teaching learning materials, and assessment packages. GIZ is a key implementing partner for TVET Sector Support Program in Pakistan.
• National Vocational & Technical Training Commission (NAVTTC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNAVTTC is the premier national TVET facilitating body in Pakistan. SSDF has been providing consultancy to NAVTTC for over five years and collaborates closely on RPL implementation within the National Vocational Qualification Framework.
• Punjab Technical Education & Vocational Training Authority (TEVTA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTEVTA is the provincial TVET authority in Punjab. SSDF collaborates with TEVTA for training programs including hand embroidery and Tilla training for women, and TVET training sessions at GSTC Bahawalpur.
• Pakistan Poverty Alleviation Fund (PPAF)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPPAF partners with SSDF for training programs targeting women from low-income backgrounds in South Punjab and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province. Programs include hand embroidery and applique work training.
• Christian Fellowship of PakistanmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerChristian Fellowship of Pakistan helps SSDF approach and engage with Christian minority communities for TVET promotion and social inclusion advocacy.
• Aga Khan Foundation / Aga Khan Youth & Sports BoardmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAga Khan Foundation and local practitioners support SSDF in accessing trainees in the Gilgit-Baltistan region and enable talented young artists from the region to showcase their culture.
• Sundas FoundationmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSundas Foundation collaborates with SSDF for bi-annual blood donation camps and health awareness campaigns, including raising awareness for Thalassemia patients.
• WWF PakistanminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerWWF Pakistan partners with SSDF for organizing Green Days and environmental sustainability initiatives as part of the Green Pakistan campaign.
• Waste BustersminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerWaste Busters partners with SSDF for environmental sustainability initiatives and waste management awareness campaigns.
• PLAN InternationalmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPLAN International partners with SSDF for the Girls Advocacy Project targeting adolescent girls, focusing on gender equality and empowerment.
• AGAHEmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAGAHE collaborates with SSDF on Menstrual Hygiene Management (MHM) awareness programs, including peer learning initiatives and documentation of MHM projects.
• RahnumaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRahnuma collaborates with SSDF for social impact projects and youth development initiatives, including International Youth Day celebrations.
• YAN (Youth Association Network)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerYAN collaborates with SSDF for social impact projects and youth empowerment initiatives in Pakistan.
• MAHARATmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMAHARAT works with SSDF to provide platforms for women to display their products in exhibitions for entrepreneurial opportunities and skills recognition.
• Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLCCI collaborates with SSDF on cultural preservation events including 'Hamara Aaj, Culture aur Art' dialogue at Alhamra Arts Council.
• STEP IADM (Institute of Art, Design & Management)coreOthersSTEP IADM is a sister organization that actively assists in the delivery of vocational training programs. It is also the parent project of SSDF. Anna Molka Scholarship scheme is designed for female minorities through IADM.
• Melange Institute & Beauty LoungemajorOthersMelange Institute is a sister organization supporting SSDF's training delivery and scholarship programs for marginalized communities.
• PAAPAM (Pakistan Association of Automotive Parts)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPAAPAM hosts the Pakistan Auto Show where SSDF participates and engages youth through autoshow and design competitions.
• Beacon House SchoolminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBeacon House College Gulberg Lahore collaborates with SSDF for the Pandora Performing Art Competition for youth.
• Shalimar HospitalminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerShalimar Hospital partners with SSDF for heart disease awareness campaigns, open houses, and seminars addressing cardiac health issues.
• JICA (Japan International Cooperation Agency)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerJICA supports SSDF initiatives with amateur artist displays and cultural programs showcasing Pakistani artistic abilities.
• SOS VillageminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSSDF launched its tree planting campaign at SOS Village for Children as part of the Green Pakistan environmental initiative.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• International Labour Organization (ILO): UN agency focused on labor standards, employment, and skills development worldwide. ILO runs major TVET and youth employment programs in Pakistan that overlap with SSDF's beneficiary focus, making it a broader incumbent in the same sector.
• UNICEF Pakistan: UN children's agency with major Pakistan operations in education, adolescent skills, and child protection. UNICEF's youth skills and child labor programs overlap with SSDF's Sunday School and youth employment mandate, positioning it as a broader sector incumbent.
• GIZ Pakistan: Germany's international development agency and a key implementing partner of Pakistan's TVET Sector Support Program. While GIZ is a donor/client to SSDF rather than a direct competitor, it operates in the same TVET reform space and shapes the broader competitive landscape for skills consultancies.

Direct peers

• Aga Khan Foundation: International development organization with extensive Pakistan operations in education, gender, and rural community development. SSDF partners with Aga Khan Foundation to access trainees in Gilgit-Baltistan — both share a community-based development model targeting marginalized populations.
• National Vocational & Technical Training Commission (NAVTTC): Pakistan's premier federal TVET facilitating body that sets competency standards and qualification frameworks. SSDF collaborates closely with NAVTTC on RPL implementation, making it both regulator and operational peer in the same TVET value chain.
• National Rural Support Programme (NRSP): One of Pakistan's largest rural development NGOs delivering community empowerment, microfinance, and skills training across rural Pakistan. NRSP is highly comparable as a non-profit focused on poverty alleviation through skills and livelihoods in similar geographies.
• Akhuwat Foundation: Pakistan's largest interest-free microfinance organization that also runs vocational and skills training programs for low-income communities. Akhuwat's mission of poverty alleviation through financial inclusion and skills development directly parallels SSDF's skills-for-employment model.
• Pakistan Poverty Alleviation Fund (PPAF): Pakistan's flagship community-driven development non-profit that funds skills and livelihoods programs for poor communities. PPAF partners with SSDF on women's hand embroidery training, making it a direct peer in community-based vocational programming.
• Punjab Technical Education & Vocational Training Authority (TEVTA): Punjab's provincial vocational training authority that delivers large-scale TVET programs. SSDF collaborates with TEVTA on embroidery, Tilla, and trades training — operating in the same provincial vocational training market with similar trade-focused curricula.

Regional players

• The Citizens Foundation (TCF): Pakistan's largest non-profit education network operating schools nationwide focused on underprivileged children. TCF addresses overlapping educational equity themes with SSDF, though primarily in formal K-12 schooling rather than vocational training.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/step-skills-development-foundation

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about STEP Skills Development Foundation