Despite the continuous efforts of the government, a significant amount of the rural population still sits at the bottom of the economic pyramid. Judging by the gender ratio, a majority of the population belonging to this sphere are women.
That’s a sad reality with which we all are living currently! However, government initiatives like the initiation of vocational courses across degree colleges for women have played a major role in empowering women belonging to the backward strata of the society.
In this blog, we will explore the benefits of vocational education and training for women. This will help you realise the importance of such courses, and how they are creating opportunities for development among women.
What Are Vocational Courses?
Before diving into the benefit conundrums, let’s just take a quick detour and understand what vocational courses are.
In simple words, vocational courses can be defined as a discipline that focuses on practical work and helps prepare students for a specific profession.
You might think at this juncture that a degree in engineering or hospitality management might also be a vocational course. No, they aren’t! Vocational courses are non-academic disciplines, focusing on honing particular skills of the learners for specific professions.
The best example to cite a vocational course is tailoring. Similarly, handicraft training, photography, learning foreign languages, specific computer skills etc can also be a good instance of a vocational course.
Benefits Of Vocational Courses
Now that you’re aware of what vocational courses are, let’s cut to the chase and plunge into the many benefits that it brings along-
Financial Independence
Economic independence is the only thing that can help fight poverty! Vocational education and training courses can empower rural women by making them financially independent. How?
Well, vocational courses like tailoring, baking, handicraft making, etc. provide women with necessary practical skills. Such skills have a high demand across various industries. These courses ensure that the trainees become job-ready right after they graduate, thereby resulting in achieving financial security to live their lives the way they want to!
Supportive Learning Environment
One major issue with students, especially girls coming from the rural sphere, is a lack of confidence in their abilities. That added to a hesitation in social interaction becomes an impossible hurdle for them to overcome.
Vocational courses initiated by reputed degree colleges in Kolkata provide a supportive learning environment. The teachers make sure that the students are not only honing their professional skills but also working on soft skills like communication and teamwork. This instils a sense of self-confidence among the trainees, allowing them to advocate for themselves as they succeed in life.
Out And Out Flexibility
Women enrolling for vocational courses across girls’ colleges in Kolkata are not just students. Many of them might be working, or juggling theory studies alongside taking care of their family. For them, attending strict morning sessions or regular classes might become challenging.
Considering that, vocational courses offered by the colleges across Kolkata are scheduled at flexible hours. You might even have the option to enrol in such courses on a part-time basis or attend evening sessions. Such flexibility allows a viable option for women to balance their education alongside their responsibilities.
Quick Turnaround Time
Vocational education and training courses are associated with a quick turnaround time. Courses like photography, or baking can be as less as a 30-hour course. This paves the way for women to enter their job life faster and ensures that they start earning early to build their careers. Professional courses for women, on the other hand, are year-long courses. So, if you happen to have enough time in your hand, you might opt for such courses to hone your skills effectively.
Empowering Women- One Step At A Time
Owing to the prevailing gender biases, and loss of opportunities for women belonging to the rural sphere, vocational courses have turned out to be a massive success! It’s one of the most successful initiatives launched by the government to empower women one step at a time!
Reputed girls’ colleges across the city like Ramakrishna Sarada Mission Vivekananda Vidyabhaban offer a variety of vocational courses at super affordable rates. Contact them if you’re interested, and join hands with a commitment to a holistic women’s empowerment movement.
