Skills to Income Accelerator

The CaterpillHERs Skills to income Accelerator aims to improve female labor force participation in Pakistan and make women financially independent. Our mission is to help Pakistani women, like you, learn digital skills and boost their income and financial independence.
24 WEEKS | LIVE + ASYNC | ACTION PACKED
Program Overview
Our Skills to Income Program is a 24-week initiative that equips individuals with the skills and support needed to achieve economic empowerment. This comprehensive program comprises two accelerators: the 10-week Skills Accelerator and the 14-week Freelance Accelerator. Through these accelerators, participants gain a deep understanding of in-demand digital skills, freelancing fundamentals, and practical experience. The program offers personalized guidance and hands-on support to help participants implement their skills effectively. Additionally, a limited number of top-performing participants receive placement opportunities to launch their careers. Our Skills to Income Program is part of a broader effort to create economic opportunities and empower individuals to achieve financial independence
What’s Included
8 weeks of skill accelerator with live classes
10 weeks of skills accelerator and 14 weeks of freelance accelerator
15+ hours of Video Content
and much more!
Want To Know More?
Reach out to mukti@caterpillhers.com
Who is this program for?
Fresh Graduates
You have just stepped out of university and you want to learn new skills and enter the job market
Career Pivot
You are in the middle of a career transition or just not happy with your career track and need to find your passion
Career Breaks
You want to dust off the rust that has piled over the years from childcare and wish to return to work
Women Entrepreneurs
You just want to be your own boss and have the flexibility and freedom that you have always wanted
Meet the Instructors and Coaches
Whether it is just insightful advice or a high-touch support throughout our designated cohorts, our mentor gets it. Here are some of the industry veterans and content experts who provide support to our founders.
Meet the Instructors and Coaches
Whether it is just insightful advice or a high-touch support throughout our designated cohorts, our mentor gets it. Here are some of the industry veterans and content experts who provide support to our founders.
Hira Saeed
CEO, CaterpillHERs
Faiza Yousuf
CPO, CaterpillHERs
Asra Rizwan
Program, UC Berkeley
Hina Ilyas
PM, AccessibilityChecker.org
Ahmed Arslan Abid
Designer, Vertex Chemicals
Momina Asif
Expert Copywriter
Moiz Khan
Digital Marketing Expert
What’s Included
High-Income Digital Skills
Vetted Freelance Curriculum
100% Free of Cost*
Access to CaterpillHers Academy
Bi Monthly Coaching Sessions
Guided Placement Opportunities
Skills Accelerator
Copywriting Track
This lesson discusses copywriting basics and defines its purpose and role in effective communication. We will distinguish between copywriting and content writing, understanding what sets them apart. Lastly, we will explore different types of copywriting and their applications.
This lesson focuses on the concept of the target audience and its significance in copywriting. We will learn to identify our brand's target audience and conduct effective research to inform our message and strategy. Â
This lesson introduces diverse copywriting platforms and explores various types of copywriting. From social media to websites, ads, products, emails, and landing pages, it covers many copywriting uses. Additionally, it has valuable tips for crafting compelling and engaging copy across these platforms.
This lesson dissects the essential elements of a strong copy. It covers the significance of brand voice and tone, emphasizing their role in conveying the brand's identity and connecting with the audience. Lastly, it discusses the 3C’s of copywriting for crafting compelling copy.Â
This session delves into the fundamentals of hooks: what they are, how they function, their appearance, and their purpose. It explores various types of hooks and offers guidance on crafting effective ones while also highlighting common pitfalls to avoid.
This lesson is all about understanding the crucial elements of an effective and converting copy. We will explore key features of a compelling copy and discuss several tried and tested frameworks and formulas with examples to craft converting content.
Graphic Designing Track
This first lesson serves as an introduction to Canva- an essential graphic designing platform. We will learn how Canva works, what features are available, and practically get acquainted with the use of some basic features on the platform.Â
This lesson dives into the first basic graphic design theory: Typography. It introduces typography, its various principles, how it is used in design applications, and some useful typography tools and resources.
This lesson explores the second basic graphic design theory: Hierarchy. We will learn what hierarchy is, how it works in a design, and what are its different elements. It also includes practical insights into creating a hierarchy in a design and refining and reviewing our designs. Â
This lesson is about the third basic graphic design theory: Color. We will cover the basics of color theory and understand how color harmony and schemes work. Through practical demonstration, we will learn about color in design applications.
This lesson teaches how to use Canva to create visually appealing social media and professional designs. We'll also explore professional designs like logos and presentations, and wrap up with tips for creating effective designs.
This lesson discovers Canva’s dynamic video and animation features. Through practical demonstration, we will learn the fundamentals of video creation, including project timeline setup, text overlays, and audio adjustments. Additionally, we will dive into animation creation, mastering timing, text, and motion effects.
This lesson covers the fundamentals of video editing in Premiere Pro. Through practical guidance, this lesson will teach you to develop proficiency in the essential tools and techniques for seamless video editing.
Virtual Assistance Track
 This lesson introduces the basics of virtual assistance. We'll learn essential skills, common tasks, and on-demand VA skills. Additionally, we'll discover how to identify our skill set and thrive in the virtual assistance industry.
This lesson explains building a portfolio as a beginner in the virtual assistance field. We'll explore pricing tiers, hosting platforms, job boards, and VA-specific communities. Plus, it will provide a checklist to kickstart your portfolio journey.
This lesson explores the administrative support tasks for virtual assistants, including scheduling, data entry, and reporting. We'll also cover customer support aspects like chat, help desk, and social media queries, offering tips for efficient and effective virtual assistance.
This lesson talks about website management for virtual assistants, covering content updates, maintenance, and an introduction to landing pages. We will learn how to generate and manage landing pages effectively, along with tips for efficient website and landing page management.
This lesson is dedicated to marketing in virtual assistance. From email marketing to zero inbox management, content marketing, and social media management, we'll cover it all and learn about lead generation, PR outreach, and valuable tips for effective virtual assistance in marketing.
This lesson discusses design and creativity tailored for virtual assistants. We will explore graphic design, audio and video editing, content creation, writing, and editing, and go over some valuable tips for providing effective design and creative support as a VA.
 This lesson focuses on the role of VAs in e-commerce and dropshipping. It covers essential e-commerce tools such as Shopify and WooCommerce and explains how to master tasks like product research and SEO content management. Additionally, we'll explore TikTok Shop as the latest platform for VA support.
Digital Marketing Track
This lesson dives into the world of digital marketing, understanding its definition, importance, and evolution. We will explore key concepts like SEO, SEM, and SMM and cover the customer journey, sales funnels, and the significance of conversion optimization for effective marketing strategies.
This lesson explores various social media platforms, their trends, and how their audience behaves. We will learn to create an effective content strategy, build engaging content calendars, and manage online communities. It will also provide insights into fostering a loyal following, handling feedback, and crisis management.
This lesson covers the essentials of website creation. We will learn how to choose a domain and hosting, understand website builders, and identify the essential elements of a website for an effective online presence.
This lesson discusses content management systems (CMS) and covers popular platforms, building and customizing website content, and ensuring mobile responsiveness and user experience. Through this, you will gain the skills needed to manage and optimize website content for diverse audiences effectively.
This lesson overviews advertising platforms, delving into their interfaces and targeting options. You will learn about audience insights, various ad formats, and creative best practices to enhance your advertising campaigns effectively.Â
This lesson is all about campaign planning and execution, covering setting objectives, budgeting, and A/B testing. We will explore analytics and reporting, learn to interpret performance metrics, and create custom reports for iterative improvements in our advertising efforts.Â
This lesson teaches the essentials of campaign planning such as setting objectives, building email lists, and designing effective templates. We will also discuss automation and personalization techniques, including A/B testing, and understand the importance of CRM integration for targeted campaigns.
Freelance Accelerator
Module 01: Introduction to Freelancing & Niche Selection
This lesson outlines the first module. You’ll learn the freelancing basics and market landscape in the upcoming lessons. We will also discuss cultivating an entrepreneurial mindset, exploring the gig economy trends, and evaluating your skills to choose the right niche.
This lesson introduces the basic definition and mechanics of freelancing and provides an overview of the current freelancing landscape It also surveys Pakistan’s freelance market and the growing women’s participation in the gig economy.
This lesson navigates the freelancer's mindset and outlines the possible freelancing challenges and benefits. It discusses work-life balance in freelancers and how this career helps build essential skills and strengths to survive in a continuously evolving economy.
This lesson explores the definition of trends and their impact on freelancers. It examines current trends such as generative AI, creator content, building in public, and using data analytics in freelancing. Additionally, it delves into other emerging trends shaping freelancing, offering insights for adapting to an evolving economy.
This lesson guides through niche definition and how to narrow it down. It emphasizes the significance of niche selection and conducting market research to identify profitable niches. Additionally, it explores the Ikigai concept to align passion, mission, vocation, and profession.
This lesson concludes the first module and recaps the essential concepts covered so far including freelancing fundamentals, current market status, emerging trends, niche selection, and striking a work-life balance in your career as a freelancer.
Module 02: Setting Goals & Business Processes
This lesson outlines the second module In the following lessons, you will learn to set SMART freelancing goals and essential business processes such as pricing, payment methods, etc. We will also discuss effective client engagement, acing freelance interviews, and creating a personal code of conduct.
This lesson unpacks setting up SMART goals and reverse engineering for achievable goals. It will guide you in setting clear income, client acquisition, and self-development goals to drive professional growth. Lastly, we will explore leveraging AI tools for effective goal setting.
This lesson will help you craft an ideal freelance lifestyle with tips on finding clients, automating workflow, and setting up efficient communication and project management tools. Moreover, setting up payment methods, taxation, and accounting protocols is addressed for financial management efficiency.
This lesson delves into the distinct aspects of freelance interviews, employing the STAR response technique for effective communication. You will learn to make an interview toolbox and navigate the dos and don'ts of interviews. Additionally, principles of negotiation will be covered for successful client interactions.
This lesson focuses on cultivating effective client engagement strategies, and exploring best practices and pitfalls to avoid. It will discuss the importance of establishing a professional code of conduct and creating a rate card to streamline the pricing structure according to your worth in the market.Â
This lesson wraps up the second module and reflects on the important concepts such as how to set up SMART goals and an efficient business system for effective client engagement and retention, proper pricing, and a code of conduct to strengthen your reputation. Â
Module 03: Profile, Portfolio, & Outreach
This lesson introduces key topics from the third module such as establishing a strong online presence. It will share insights on building and sharing portfolios with beginner-friendly tools, setting up a website, LinkedIn profile optimization, crafting winning cover letters, and mastering effective cold emailing strategies to attract potential clients.
This lesson emphasizes creating a portfolio to showcase your skills and expertise visually. It provides practical guidance for freelancers with limited experience on how to create and publish a portfolio. A portfolio checklist is also provided to ensure completeness, followed by strategies for pitching your portfolio to potential clients.
This lesson highlights the importance of freelancers having a website and guides participants through the website-building process. It includes a 10-day portfolio website challenge breaking the entire process into smaller steps. It also has a list of online tools for making a website.
This lesson underscores the significance of freelancers optimizing their LinkedIn profiles. It will discuss the step-by-step process for effective profile optimization. Additionally, we'll explore leveraging ChatGPT to enhance profile quality and visibility.
This lesson dives into the essentials of writing cover letters and cold emails. We will discuss the do’s and don’ts of it and what are the practical ways for successfully reaching potential clients.Â
This lesson closes the third module and summarizes the key insights such as the importance of a well-built portfolio, a freelancing website, and an optimized LinkedIn profile to enhance personal branding along with strategies for client outreach.Â
Module 04: Mastering Upwork
This lesson serves as an overview of the fourth module, which focuses on creating an Upwork profile that meets approval standards and the strategies to secure employment opportunities. This module will also discuss setting up a project catalog and consulting hours and diversifying your skill set and services.
This lesson focuses on exploring Upwork as one of the top freelancing platforms and guides through setting up an Upwork profile that attracts clients. It will also discuss various features such as connects, talent badges, reports, etc. that enhance the freelancing experience on this platform.
 This lesson is all about effectively looking for jobs on Upwork. It explains the communication and payment protocols within Upwork, how to price your services, gain the attention of clients through cover letters, and improve your profile by adding a project catalog.
This lesson sheds light on the importance of diversifying to keep a steady stream of work in the fluctuating freelance market. We will cover diversifying skills, income streams, client base, geographical exposure, and types of projects for career growth.
This lesson recapitulates the key points from the module such as creating a stellar Upwork profile for increased job opportunities and diversifying various aspects of freelancing such as client base, skill set, etc. for continuous career growth.Â
Module 5: Client Acquisition Through Social Media
 This lesson introduces the fifth module which is based on finding clients using social media strategies. We will explore Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn as lead-generation platforms and understand effective networking and cold outreach.
This lesson discusses how Facebook can help freelancers acquire clients. We will go over multiple features of Facebook and professional freelancers’ profiles to understand the strategic use of Facebook in generating leads.
This lesson explores how Instagram can be leveraged to connect with potential clients. We'll delve into various features unique to Instagram, such as Stories, IGTV, and Reels, examining how they can be strategically utilized to showcase your work and attract clients.Â
This lesson is dedicated to understanding how LinkedIn serves as a powerful tool for freelancers to expand their client base. Its distinct features like networking, content sharing, and recommendations are useful in building credibility and connecting with potential clients.
This lesson covers the essentials of networking and cold outreach as a freelancer. We will go through various strategies for successful client engagement through the practices of networking and cold outreach.
This lesson summarizes the main points from the fifth module that social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn are useful tools for freelancers to attract potential clients. Also, mastering cold outreach and networking is beneficial in expanding the client base.
Module 06: Increased Productivity & Mental Well-being
This lesson outlines the sixth module which focuses on increasing productivity by incorporating automating tools into the workflow. The upcoming lessons will also discuss maintaining mental well-being, combating imposter syndrome, and finding a community in your freelancing journey.
This lesson focuses on the productivity-enhancing capabilities of Generative AI across various domains. We will look at different AI tools for tasks such as writing, scheduling, project management, etc. that help to streamline work and boost efficiency.
 This lesson delves into intercultural competence, exploring its significance and context. It will guide how to develop a cultural lens and gain strategies for effectively contributing to diverse intercultural teams.
This lesson emphasizes the importance of having a supportive community, or "tribe". You'll learn strategies for identifying and connecting with like-minded individuals who align with your values and goals.Â
This lesson emphasizes the importance of having a supportive community, or "tribe". You'll learn strategies for identifying and connecting with like-minded individuals who align with your values and goals.Â
This lesson concludes the sixth module and recaps the main topics like integration of AI tools in workflow for increased productivity, recognizing and dealing with the imposter syndrome, building an intercultural lens and being open to differences, and lastly, becoming a part of an uplifting community.
Sponsors and Partners
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Yes and No. CaterpillHERs programs are designed like online courses but they are deeper and more meaningful than any other online course. We call them an accelerator that includes accumulated training sessions, masterclasses, expert workshops, group coaching and 1:1 mentorship, all combined with online curriculum that you watch at your own pace.
Yes, the accelerator would only be beneficial for those who are 100% committed to learning and implementing what we teach. If you already have a skillset and some knowledge about freelancing, it’s definitely a plus.
On average, a participant will spend 5-7 hours per week to meet the requirements.
Once you have filled out the form, the program team reviews your application and contacts you for a screening interview which will be stage 2 of the application process.
Yes. We release blockchain certificates with no expiration date which you can add to your portfolios.Â
No, you will continue to have lifetime access to the course.Â
Absolutely! After graduating from the program, you will forever be in our hearts and our alum community!
Always feel free to email us at arooma@caterpillhers.com
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