Transitioning from University to Workforce: Young Women Engineers in Energy Management

65 recent women engineering graduates are undergoing a 6-month training programme and preparing themselves to begin careers in Pakistan’s energy sector. This initiative is aimed at promoting gender inclusivity in the energy sector and is supporting women engineers to build expertise in energy management (EnM) and Energy Management Systems (EnMS) by equipping them with hands-on technical skills and workplace experience.

Geographically Diverse Placements Across 5 Municipal Urban Centres

Through placements in 6 partner municipal organisations - Capital Development Authority (CDA), Water and Sanitation Agency (WASA) Lahore, Peshawar Development Authority (PDA), Water and Sanitation Services Peshawar (WSSP), Water and Sanitation Services Company Abbottabad (WSSCA), and Water & Sanitation Service Company Mardan (WSSCM) - the programme stands out for its geographically diverse hiring, enabling women engineers from 5 cities to participate. Under the programme, 15 trainees have been placed in Lahore, 20 in Islamabad, and 30 in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP). Of these, 12 trainees completed the programme in July 2025, while the remaining are on track to graduate in February 2026.

Combining Technical Skills with Professional Development

The programme’s holistic approach combines technical training with career-related soft skills, equipping young engineers with the competencies needed to transition confidently into roles as future energy professionals. The technical curriculum on EnM and EnMS is delivered through a blend of in-person and online sessions, complemented by hands-on exercises and practical tasks. It covers topics such as ISO 50001-based EnMS, the Plan-Do-Check-Act cycle as a continuous improvement tool, an overview of municipal energy infrastructure, and data analysis for evidence-based energy decision-making.

Applying Learning Through Fieldwork

Learning materials are reinforced through structured fieldwork in partner municipalities, allowing trainees to apply theory in practice. Guided by trainers, they collect energy data to establish baselines, support analysis, and conduct audits at sites such as tubewells and pumping stations. Working alongside municipal energy teams, they learn to identify inefficiencies and understand how energy-saving measures are designed and evaluated. Regular visits to tubewells, pumping stations, water treatment plants, and wastewater facilities further enrich their learning, exposing them to the full municipal water-energy nexus, from abstraction and treatment to distribution and disposal. 

This fieldwork helps trainees understand the importance of energy management in municipal operations for reducing energy costs. Working closely with experts from UET Peshawar and municipal energy teams, they are also contributing to EnMS framework implementation in the municipalities.

Building Confidence and Workplace Readiness

Mashal Arif is one of the trainees from Peshawar and sums up the programme’s professional impact:

Career-oriented soft skills sessions prepare emerging engineers for the competitive job market and smooth entry into energy roles. They also learn about workplace rights, professional conduct, Pakistan’s harassment laws, and reporting channels. This ensures they enter the sector not only as technically proficient professionals but also as confident, well-prepared employees.By strengthening expertise in municipal energy management and enhancing energy efficiency within the municipal services sector, the programme directly supports SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy), SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), and SDG 13 (Climate Action). In doing so, it promotes a more sustainable and efficient municipal service sector in Pakistan, while contributing to reduced greenhouse gas emissions and national and international climate goals.