Skilling the homeless through Vocational Training with Empower Pragati

Empower Pragati (www. Empowerpragati.in) an NSDC (National Skill Development Corporation) investee company, launched the first ever certificate program to become Vocational Trainers, in June 2014. The program is a three month course, where students learn about the skilling sector, training methodologies, managing a business and involving communities for social impact. The three months include 2 months of classroom training, with industry experts and one month of internship at a Vocational Training Centre. They then get employed as Trainers, with a Vocational Training Company.

The first batch of PGCVT (Post Graduate Certificate in Vocational Training) graduates, are now working as vocational trainers – helping the underprivileged get skilled and employed. Besides learning about Training Methodologies, Instructional Design, Centre Management, PGCVTians also learn how to build confidence – to make the trainees feel truly empowered.

Through this course, our aspiring Vocational Trainers learn the importance of empathising with their trainees. Most of the trainees come from an underprivileged background and it is important to first help them accept and believe in themselves, before they can get skilled in a particular trade and live an economically stable life.

This is the story of one PGCVTian, and her journey in helping homeless women stand up with dignity.

There are more than 150,000 homeless in Delhi- as per the government’s census. Shakila (pseudo name) is one of the ten homeless women that we skilled and got a job as a housemaid. She does not wince, even as we cry, when we listen to her story. She has said it many times before and it doesn’t hurt anymore. The story of being abandoned as a child, and abused repeatedly – mentally and physically. I watch our trainer trying to control her emotions to be able to move on to the next training module – just like Shakila has to move on. “Key elements of effective training is trust and belief in the trainer. How do I get them to trust me when everyone has only let them down till now”? The trainer asks, helplessly, on day 1 of the training.

I visit them again on Day 15. Shakila is standing and making a speech – “I will take care of my health, I will take care of my employers, I will save enough to buy a small room at the end of 5 years.” She has a long list of things that she has decided she will do. She has a long list of reasons to look forward to tomorrow. Our trainer looks on with admiration and a deep sense of fulfilment. Shakila sits down with a smile as the next lady comes up to share her hopes and dreams.

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