The empowerment of women is a key priority for the government. In this regard, it has launched many schemes such as Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP), Ujjwala, Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY), Mudra Yojana, etc.
A media delegation from Jammu and Kashmir today visited the National Skills Training Institute for Women (NSTI-W) in Hyderabad, Telangana, that is playing a key role in encouraging the empowerment of women across the country.,
About twelve journalists from various newspapers of J&K are currently on a five-day tour of Telangana organised by the Press Information Bureau (PIB), to understand the policies and programmes of the government at the ground level.
The (NSTI-W), formerly RVTI (W) comes under the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship
S. Priya, Deputy Director, NSTI, Hyderabad, told the J&K media delegation, “We conduct many women-centric courses in areas like CITS (Crafts Instructor Training Scheme) and CTS (Craftsmen Training Scheme). CITS is for instructor training, while CTS is for craftsmen training.”
“In CITS we concentrate on fashion training and cosmetology, while in CTS we concentrate on architecture, IOT, IT, AI sectors. These courses are mainly for empowering women by enhancing their skills and to make them more employable,” she added.
Nausheen Fatima, a training officer for architectural draughtsmen, said, “It is a two-year course in engineering. We focus on skills which are in demand in the market. Our students are getting good jobs in interior design, landscaping, besides drafting.”
Vishalaya, an IOT (Internet of Things) teacher, said, “In IOT, we teach students about its use in sectors like agriculture, humanities and other sciences. We teach IOT and electronics.”
As to how the use of IOT benefits the country, he cited the example of agricultural fields going dry. He said that in the past farmers would go to a tube well to release the water, whereas now there is a smarter way to achieve desired results. He said that by using IOT, specifically its moisture sensor application, an alarm is received in our mobiles that allows to activate the water from its source.
The media team was also informed about an office management course, where short hand and office management skills are developed. The NSTI (W) uses Pitman shorthand, a system of shorthand developed by Englishman Sir Isaac Pitman (1813–1897). Special attention is paid to developing communication and office drafting and writing skills with the help of printers, computers, scanners and other machines.
The institute also has courses in fashion design and technology, cosmetology and catering and hospitality, besides IT, IOT, 3D printer and architecture draughtsmanship. A New Age Course, Advanced Vocational Training Scheme and an Advanced Diploma Course is also in the institute’s curriculum.
Pravin Patil, a CITS training officer, said that 60 to 70 percent of the training at the NSTI (W) is practical, while 30 to 40 percent is theory, and almost students get picked up for skilled jobs, both in the public and private sector.
The NSTI (W)’s mission is to impart skills in various vocational trades to meet skilled manpower requirements for the technology and industrial growth of the country.