QAZAQ GREEN.  The official launch of Empowerment-2026, a workforce development and women's economic empowerment program for Western Kazakhstan, will take place in Atyrau.

The initiative aims to help women gain access to in-demand technical occupations, develop practical professional skills, pursue new career opportunities, or build their own businesses.

As part of the program, 60 women from Western Kazakhstan will receive practical training in four areas: entrepreneurship and business development, solar energy technologies, instrumentation and control and automation systems (I&C), and welding and non-destructive testing (NDT).

The official opening of the project will take place on August 24 at 10:00 in Atyrau.

Empowerment-2026 is being implemented with the participation of the Future Pathways Initiative Fund (FPIF) and APEC Training Center, with support from the project's partners.

Expanding Women's Opportunities Is an Investment in the Region's Future

Empowerment-2026 was developed in response to one of the current labor market needs in Western Kazakhstan. Women remain underrepresented in technical and industrial occupations despite strong employer demand for qualified specialists.

The program is designed to expand women's access to professional fields that can provide greater employment opportunities, career growth and sustainable income.

The initiative goes beyond traditional vocational training. Participants will receive comprehensive support, from identifying suitable career pathways and developing practical skills to career counseling, mentoring, engagement with employers and entrepreneurs, and post-training support.

"Empowerment-2026 is more than a training program. It is an opportunity for women to access new professional fields, identify additional career prospects and receive practical support on the path toward economic independence. We aim to create conditions where every participant gains not only a new skill, but also an understanding of how to turn that skill into a professional opportunity," the project organizers said.

How to Apply

Registration for Empowerment-2026 will take place online. A link to the registration form will be published on the Instagram page of APEC Training Center, @apecgroup.kz.

Applications will be accepted from August 11 to 16.

Women who meet the following requirements are eligible to participate:

• aged 23 to 50 inclusive as of the application deadline;
• citizens of the Republic of Kazakhstan;
• permanent residents of Atyrau, Mangystau, West Kazakhstan or Aktobe regions;
• have relevant education or at least six months of work experience in the selected field;
• have completed the registration form in full;
• be prepared to attend in-person training in Atyrau from August 24 to 28, 2026;
• be prepared to maintain 100% attendance throughout the training period.

Project organizers:
Future Pathways Initiative Fund (FPIF) and APEC Training Center.

Location: Atyrau, Kazakhstan.

Official launch: August 24, 2026, at 10:00.

Number of participants: 60 women.