Learning a new profession or starting your own business is something many people dream of. The Pakistani-German Facilitation and Reintegration Centre (PGFRC) helps turn dreams into reality. It works together with partner organisations to hold vocational training courses, among other things. One of these is a training course in motorbike mechanics. A glimpse behind the scenes.

The dream of having your own workshop

Suleiman is standing beside a dismantled motorbike engine in a modern-looking workshop in the busy Sheikhupura Road district of Lahore. He is dipping each part of the carburettor into a solvent bath to give the parts a thorough clean. He is currently training to become a motorbike mechanic, which will enable him to open his own workshop in the near future. Suleiman came back to Pakistan just two years ago, and opened a shop selling replacement parts for motorbikes.

But he had to close his shop again a week after opening due to the corona pandemic. He carried on paying the rent for another 15 months, but in the end he was forced to give up his shop. Suleiman was worried about his future, but then he came across a social media advert for a training course in motorbike mechanics organised by the Pakistani-German Facilitation and Reintegration Centre (PGFRC). This was a stroke of luck. “I decided right away to improve my practical skills”, says Suleiman. “I’d like to set up a new workshop and put my business plans into action as soon as possible after this training”, he adds. He immediately contacted the PGFRC and registered for the training course.

Dreams become realistic opportunities

The practical lessons take place in a large workshop equipped with state-of-the-art mechanical tools and a number of motorbikes that the students can work on themselves during the training. There is a lecture hall at the back. Sitting in the first row is Suleiman, who came back to Pakistan in 2019.

One of the participants is a trainee named Ishaq. He learned about the training from his cousin. Ishaq had emigrated to Qatar in 2015, but came back to Pakistan after just five months because of health concerns. He had worked in a clothing shop since then, but he had always been interested in becoming a mechanic. This training course was the perfect opportunity. The mixture of technical skills and entrepreneurial training has helped me to understand how to build up a business. I’m planning to use the set of tools to run a mobile motorbike workshop. I can then drive to the customers and provide repair services on the spot”, explains Ishaq.

As of: 01/2022