VOCATIONAL TRAINING PROGRAMME
The Vocational Training Programme, started in 1976, is run for girls from underprivileged families of resettlement colonies and the urban slums of Delhi. It operates at 13 centres, empowering over 800 young participants with skills and practical competencies for the job market, every year. The programme has seen a steady increase in the number of beneficiaries over the years. The courses are accredited by the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) of the government.
The courses offered, namely beauty culture, tailoring, and courses in computers like Using computers, basic animation and graphics, Tally etc, allow girls to work within or near their homes, even after marriage, without requiring large investments. The training courses are 6 / 12 months long and the trainees simultaneously undergo sessions in English-speaking, confidence-building, motivation, communication and presentation skills, etiquette and attire, along with legal rights and self-defence.
Our greatest achievement has been the delay in the average age of marriage of these girls from 16 years to 23 years! New confidence and independence inculcates a desire to prove themselves rather than simply submit to marriage from economic compulsion. We also observe that a large number of our young girls turn entrepreneurs. They start their own beauty parlours and tailoring shops, making them in a small but significant way, masters of their destinies!
Case study : Supriya
Supriya is a young girl who lives with her family of four members in Trilokpuri. Her father is the sole breadwinner and has a monthly income of Rs. 15000/-. When she joined the Computer Course at one of our Trilokpuri centres, she was not familiar with computers at all. But she is a very hardworking and diligent girl, and really applied herself to all the new learning, and did very well.
After completing the course, she had a good command over all the MS office packages. She was keen on learning Graphics, and so she enrolled for the advanced course. She made beautiful Illustrations in Graphics, which are now adorning the walls of our computer lab. She started doing freelance computer related work and has also completed her graduation from Delhi University.
After successfully completing her courses, Supriya got a job in a private company and takes home a salary of Rs 25,000 pm. She also continues to do freelance work from home and adds to her income.
The training course has made her self-sufficient and given her a strong feeling of security and self-confidence.
We at DCCW are proud of her success and wish her the very best for a bright future.
