The Thatta Solar Skills Project is focusing on addressing the shortage of skilled local technicians to design, install, and maintain solar systems. While solar energy potential is high, in Thatta, Sindh, women and young people often have limited access to technical training and employment opportunities in the clean energy sector. The project provides hands-on training in solar PV system design, sizing, installation, costing, inverter and battery maintenance, and the use of PVsyst software. Alongside technical skills, participants receive entrepreneurship training to help them establish local solar installation, maintenance, and repair businesses, reducing reliance on external technicians and also creating green jobs and supporting last-mile solar deployment.

The initiative is implemented by the Zaalbol Women Empowerment Foundation and is supported by the Global Climate and Energy Network (GCEN), UMI Funds, and the Tara Climate Foundation and has been in operation for less than a year employing2-5 workers. Funding covers training facilities, solar equipment, software licenses, curriculum development, and specialist trainers. Key challenges include unreliable electricity and internet access during training, limited technical backgrounds among participants, climate-related disruptions such as flooding, and rising equipment costs driven by economic instability. The project addresses these through locally adapted training approaches and flexible delivery methods. Over the long term, the initiative aims to develop into a hybrid renewable energy training institute with both in-person and online learning, supporting a network of locally owned solar businesses across Pakistan.