The Hunar Sikhiya Schools (HSS) in Punjab is a pioneering initiative to provide high-quality, in-depth skill-based education aligned with the evolving needs of students, industry, and the broader economy. HSS addresses a critical need in Punjab's education system by catering to students who leave school each year, do not pursue further education and enter the workforce directly, with limited preparedness to manage the school-to-work transition. A survey of government senior secondary school students in May-June 2023 revealed that 45% of respondents intended to pursue either full-time or part-time employment after school, indicating a strong need to align school education with job market requirements. The launch of HSS in government schools of Punjab stems from a comprehensive review of the existing vocational education landscape and incorporates international best practices and insights from extensive industry consultations. It is designed to prepare students to enter the workforce after class 12 in specific trades of interest, as well as to pursue relevant higher education pathways in these chosen trades.Â