India's largest skill institute for informal sector women to start in Sanand
The Self-Employed Women’s Association will break ground on Monday on a residential institute in Gujarat to train 1,000 women annually.
The Self-Employed Women’s Association (Sewa) will begin construction on Monday for “Kaushalya”, a large residential institute in Manipur, Sanand, according to The Times of India.
The 8.15-acre campus aims to prepare young informal sector women for Industry 4.0. It will train 1,000 women every year using 20 technical laboratories, four digital labs, and specialised simulation yards.
Developed with ITEES Singapore, the training will cover six sectors: healthcare, hospitality, beauty and wellness, solar technology, electric vehicle maintenance, and high-tech electronics repair. The institute will focus on Sewa members aged 18 to 35, who make up 40 per cent of the organisation's membership.
The project is supported by the Bagchi Foundation, established by philanthropists Susmita and Subroto Bagchi. Susmita Bagchi, a former chairperson of Odisha’s Mo School Abhiyan, said the Sewa-Bagchi Skill Institute initiative evolved after conversations regarding women’s skilling.
Sewa's Reema Nanavaty said the training must match economic growth to equip younger women in the informal sector with relevant skills for decent and dignified work.