Empowering Women in Vocational Training and Education: A Pathway to Financial Independence

Did you know it is more difficult to skill women than it is to skill the male work force? This is not a misogynistic/patriarchal remark, but a stark reality of our country.  Developing women’s employable skills is a greater challenge than training men, particularly in India, where many women are confined to low-skill, low-paying jobs in the informal economy. Biases often lead to women's training being aligned with traditional gender roles, limiting their access to better-paying opportunities. Skills training programs frequently fail to achieve their goals, struggling to recruit and retain women. To be effective, these programs must adopt a gender-sensitive approach that addresses social norms. 

Women’s Participation in Skills Training Programmes 

According to the information shared by Minister of State for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship  in Lok Sabha,

The unfinished skill training of India’s women: Reason why women are facing issues? 

Gender-based Digital Divide 

During the pandemic, many community-based organizations transitioned to online skill training, but only 25% of adult women owned smartphones compared to 41% of men. This disparity, along with high data costs and low prioritization of women’s training, led to significant dropouts. 

Unpaid Work 

Indian women already spend about five hours daily on unpaid care work, primarily childcare, which deters them from participating in skill training due to a lack of support facilities. 

Commuting Options and Mobility Restrictions 

Many women cited commuting difficulties as a reason for withdrawing from training, which worsened during lockdowns due to disrupted transport and increased risks of violence. 

Social Norms 

Social norms continue to restrict women’s training opportunities, with families becoming even less willing to allow young women to participate in programs. 

Wage Gaps and Low Likelihood of Employment Post Training 

Women face significant barriers to employment after training, with many not entering the labor force and receiving lower wages than men, exacerbated by economic instability. 

The Importance of Vocational Training for Women 

Vocational training offers a unique advantage by equipping women with hands-on skills that are directly applicable in the workforce. This education path provides an alternative to a traditional four-year degree, opening doors to fields such as manufacturing, information technology, and construction, which are often male-dominated. Unfortunately, due to societal expectations, gender biases, and limited access to resources, women face unique challenges in entering these sectors. 

As Melissa Panzer, an advocate for workplace equality, emphasizes, storytelling and visibility of successful women in these industries can break stereotypes and inspire others. "Empowering single mothers through education and highlighting their journeys can inspire broader societal change," she says. Panzer's work with workforce development partners like WorkingNation focuses on amplifying the voices of women who have successfully navigated vocational pathways. 

Empowering Women through Policy Support and Digital Inclusion: Bridging the Skills Training Gap 

To address the skills gap for women in India, various initiatives have been introduced. Notably, 30% of seats in Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) are reserved for women, and exclusive National Skill Training Institutes for Women offer training under the Craftsmen Training Scheme and Craft Instructors’ Training Scheme. 

The Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY) emphasizes gender mainstreaming, with nearly 50% of its candidates being women and significant numbers trained overall. The Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Grameen Kaushal Yojana (DDU-GKY) reserves 33% of its training slots for women, with around half of its beneficiaries successfully placed in jobs. 

The Support to Training and Employment Programme for Women (STEP) aims to help women become self-employed but has struggled with budget underutilization. Meanwhile, the National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (NAPS) connects training with apprenticeships, achieving a 44% placement rate, though it lacks specific provisions for female apprentices. 

The Jan Shikshan Sansthan targets non-literate individuals and school dropouts, particularly women, to enhance their skills and employability. 

Lastly, the collaborative projects, such as Hyundai’s Drive4Progress initiative, provide driver skill development for women and secure employment placements, breaking stereotypes and supporting economic mobility. 

Breaking Down Barriers: Access and Awareness 

Raising awareness about vocational training opportunities is the first step in creating pathways for women. Outreach programs targeting high school students and young adults are essential in highlighting non-traditional career paths. Many women from underserved communities are unaware of vocational training options that can lead to financial stability. 

The Goodwill Digital Career Accelerator, a partnership with Google, offers digital skills training to underrepresented groups, particularly women, to boost their employability in tech and secure high-paying jobs in underrepresented fields. 

Practical Support Systems: Mentorship and Care 

Practical support systems like mentorship and childcare are crucial for women’s success in vocational programs. For working mothers, balancing education with family responsibilities can be challenging, making flexible schedules and affordable childcare essential. As Panzer highlights, mentorship provides role models and guidance, helping women gain confidence in male-dominated fields. These support systems enable women to pursue education, build skills, and transition into stable, middle-class careers. 

Corporate Social Responsibility in Women Empowerment 

In India, various corporations have embraced Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives aimed at empowering women through vocational training, financial support, and skill development. Here are some top CSR initiatives for women's empowerment in India: 

1. Reliance Industries 

Reliance’s women empowerment programs, such as the WomenLead India Fellowship and WomenConnect Challenge, focus on enhancing women’s leadership and digital literacy. These initiatives offer mentorship, visibility, and technical assistance to women in rural areas, empowering them through education and access to technology. 

2. ITC Limited 

ITC’s Women Empowerment Programme promotes cooperative enterprises, provides financial support, and offers skills training. Through initiatives like Mission Sunehra Kal, ITC enhances access to education and sanitation, promoting holistic development for rural women. 

3. Hero MotoCorp 

The Hero Women’s Empowerment Programme supports women in the automotive industry by providing scholarships and technical training. The Center of Excellence for Women offers vocational training in modern automotive technologies, while the Hero Vired Scholarship provides financial assistance to women pursuing studies in emerging fields. 

4. JSW Steel 

JSW Steel’s Shakti program supports rural women entrepreneurs through self-help groups, skill development, and financial inclusion. The initiative promotes women’s participation in agribusiness and provides market linkages, significantly impacting rural women’s financial independence. 

Success Stories and Community Impact 

On the ground, organizations like HDFC Bank’s Parivartan initiative demonstrate how corporate support can transform lives. This initiative mobilizes rural women into self-help groups, providing financial literacy, insurance, and access to credit. By empowering women with financial skills, HDFC enables them to manage household finances and contribute to their communities. 

Similarly, Tata Consultancy Services’ Skill Development for Women program provides vocational training to marginalized women, promoting economic self-reliance and independence. 

Conclusion: The Path Forward 

Vocational training for women isn’t just about equality—it’s an economic game-changer. By breaking barriers and opening access to diverse industries, it helps bridge wage gaps, strengthen the workforce, and foster economic resilience. Yet, overcoming systemic challenges is essential to unlocking women’s full potential and achieving inclusive growth. 

Women represent just 23.4% of India’s labor force, far below the global average of 52%, highlighting entrenched gender bias and limited leadership opportunities. At Posterity Foundation, we advocate for diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB) to build an empowered society. Through skillful initiatives and partnerships with governments, businesses, and NGOs, we create equal opportunities, challenge biases, and drive lasting cultural change—paving the way for a more inclusive and equitable future.

For more details, visit https://www.posterityfoundation.com/