Our Vocational Education Programme (VEP) was started with a view to provide functional skills to the youth in the community (15 years and above). It is our endeavour to bring about a fundamental change in the community by carrying out various vocational training and income generation programmes. Vocational education and training programmes help the underprivileged break free from the cycle of low paying jobs they have been doing from generation to generation.

Over the years, we have introduced and developed programmes for computer training, typing, beautician / hair dresser training, tailoring and stitching and many more vocational activities. These programmes provide opportunities for the youth of the slums to develop new skills, which drastically increases their employment avenues and income generation capacities

Such programmes have the added objective of drawing sections of the community on a common platform, for self-help and awareness.

Computer Training Programme

This is a very popular 6 month course (with an option to repeat, to continue development of computer skills). Trained professionals teach the youth of the slums basics of computers, including basic hardware and software training, word processing, working with excel, typing etc.

Internet training is also carried out, including using email, working with smartphones, using social media etc. Particular emphasis is laid on helping the youth discover learning and employment opportunities over the internet.

A large number of students after underdoing our computer training courses get access to a plethora of avenues hitherto unknown to them. A large number of them are absorbed as data entry operator and trainers in the local training institutes & private organizations running in the vicinity.

Read more

Beautician/ Hair Dresser Training

Many of the women in slum areas are not academically inclined due to a variety of factors, including lack of opportunities at the appropriate age. This course was introduced to give such women a vocation to earn their own livelihood in a more dignified manner and have greater self-confidence. This vocation, apart from drastically increasing income, provides a very flexible time schedule, which is well suited to their need to also care for their house and family. At present there is a huge demand for beauticians in the market and our slum women are making good use of this opportunity to augment their incomes.

This is a six-month course where women are trained in all aspects of beauty training, from basic grooming to eye-makeup. Workshops on hair-styling, make-up and hair-cutting etc. are organized regularly with trained professionals to hone our women into talented and skilled beauticians.

The beautician course is only available for the women but the hair dresser course was made available to men as well. Many of the adult men of our slums are now earning a good livelihood as hairdressers, after getting their training through this course.

Read more

Tailoring and Stitching Training

This programme is very popular with our basti women and young girls. In this course the basics of cutting, sewing and stitching are taught. After completing this course, women are able to work from home and yet become self-sufficient, confident and financially independent.