Capacity Development for Recovery, Resilience, and Industrial Growth
HEWAD Institute for Development Studies and Project Sciences contributes to Afghanistan’s recovery and long-term resilience through applied education, technical and vocational training, and workforce development. The Institute’s approach aligns with national development priorities and international frameworks related to livelihoods, skills development, urban resilience, infrastructure delivery, and inclusive economic growth.
Afghanistan currently faces an acute shortage of skilled labor, technicians, maintenance workers, and mid-level professionals, particularly within its industrial, manufacturing, and productive sectors. Hundreds of factories, manufacturing units, and production companies across the country struggle to maintain operations and expand production due to gaps in technical skills and workforce readiness.
Addressing this skills gap is essential for economic recovery, job creation, and industrial development.
Engagement with the Industrial and Productive Sectors
HEWAD Institute works directly with industrial companies, manufacturers, and production facilities to align technical and vocational training with real market and operational needs. Through engagement with the private sector, the Institute identifies priority skills, occupational gaps, and training requirements related to production processes, construction, equipment operation, maintenance, and technical supervision.
Based on this engagement, HEWAD Institute designs and delivers demand-driven training programs that prepare Afghan youth and professionals for employment in industrial and productive sectors. These programs emphasize practical skills, workplace readiness, and applied technical competencies required by factories and production facilities.
This industry-oriented approach supports productivity, operational sustainability, and workforce development within Afghanistan’s private sector.
Partnership with UN Agencies, NGOs, and Development Partners
HEWAD Institute collaborates with United Nations agencies, international NGOs, development partners, and academic institutions to support capacity development initiatives in fragile and conflict-affected contexts. The Institute’s work contributes to development priorities such as:
- Skills development and employability
- Youth livelihoods and workforce inclusion
- Industrial recovery and private sector engagement
- Urban development and infrastructure delivery
- Environmental management and climate-related resilience
- Community-based and inclusive development
These focus areas align with international development agendas, including the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and humanitarian–development–peace nexus approaches.
Through partnerships, HEWAD Institute supports the design and implementation of training programs, capacity-building initiatives, applied research, and knowledge-sharing activities that respond to local needs while meeting international standards.
Integrated Approach: Education, Industry, and Development
HEWAD Institute adopts an integrated approach that connects education, industry, and development practice. Training programs combine classroom instruction, hands-on technical training, fieldwork, and industry exposure to ensure that learning outcomes translate into real-world skills.
The Institute also benefits from its sister partnership with the Afghan Center for Urban Studies and Municipal Affairs (ACUSMA), a U.S.-registered consulting and research organization with extensive experience in urban development, municipal governance, and applied policy research. This linkage strengthens the analytical, policy, and implementation relevance of HEWAD Institute’s programs.
What HEWAD Institute Offers to Partners
HEWAD Institute offers a flexible platform for collaboration with development partners and the private sector, including:
- Design and delivery of TVET and skills development programs
- Workforce training for industrial and production companies
- Training of Trainers (ToT) and curriculum development
- Capacity development for public institutions and municipalities
- Applied research, assessments, and technical studies
- Youth-focused employability and livelihoods initiatives
Institutional Credibility
HEWAD Institute operates under a valid business license in Afghanistan and is accredited by the national TVET Authority. The Institute is also registered in the United States, enabling international collaboration, institutional development, and engagement with global partners.
Through transparent governance, applied learning methodologies, and partnerships across sectors, HEWAD Institute aims to serve as a reliable local partner for capacity development, industrial skills training, and applied research in Afghanistan.