Those were the days when we rarely saw women engaged in driving a cab, doing plumbing work, repairing vehicles, busy with onsite construction work and playing with nails, hammers, and tools. She is a proud technician, automatic service mechanic, electrician, and welder and holds such positions.
Now we are witnessing a world where a woman is also found working in skilled trades. However, such heavy, bulky nature jobs are still considered taboo in many societies but women are all set to nail these taboos with their skills. The perceptions of people are changing rapidly as women may be seen in workshops with tools and in yellow jackets with safety helmets.
During World War I, women took charge of managing the household and started working in factories because men as labour were required in war times. This was a great revolution for women as she broke down the stigmas of society and tried their hands at hard trades to earn bread for the family in those tough times.
Women stood strong with their will when the Second World War broke down. Women were there to support again and that time government recruited even more female workers under the campaign named "Rosie the Riveter". These were the vacancies left by those tradesmen who were sent overseas to fight. These jobs were purely temporary. When the war was over, almost all the women lost their jobs on returning of the male workers.
Today time has changed. Now women choose and opt for the skill trade industry. It is observed that women are in demand today in the skill industry. Women challenged this man-dominated society through their potential, hard work and clear goals.
Hope this article may help many women who wish to enter in the skill industry. India represents the largest youth force in the entire world. There are ample opportunities open to young workers and skilled artisans in our country. Gradually, there has been a change in our society and social structure. The middle class has emerged rapidly and this give rise in the mindset of our society as women also got opportunities to attain higher education and applied courses.
If we envisage the idea of an ideal family, we will find that there were families who favors' women higher education and skill education too but doing a job was not a necessary requirement for them. The responsibilities of qualified women were to look after household activities after marriage and taking care of the family members.
Even if due to some unavoidable circumstances women had to do a job to support their family, their priority was only teaching work so that she can manage responsibilities of home and kids. But gradually the position of women became ignorant in their own families. In today's context, women existence means a lot. They are actively participating in economy and trying their best to get her ready for any job. Their existence is far beyond the gender biasness now. So she tries her hands on that trades which need skill.
It is necessary to understand what skill development is. So according to the 'International Centre for Technical and Vocational Education and Training', skill development is the acquisition of practical competencies, know-how and attitudes necessary to perform a trade or occupation in the labour market".
A technical and vocational diploma or degree is required if you wish to pursue a career in the skill industry with a set of skills and expertise in a particular trade. Vocational training programme for women runs under the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship which provides skill training to women in the country. This program aims to boost employment opportunities among women of different age groups and those belonging to different socio-economic groups. Women's Vocational Training Program (WVTP) was launched in the year 1977.
Under this project, vocational trades were identified and programs were formulated such as, 'Industrial Skill Training under Craftsmen Training Scheme (CTS), Instructor Skill Training under Craftsmen Training Scheme (CITS), Demand based short-term courses and courses as per the demand of the industry. National Skill Training Institute for Women (NSTI for Women) functions directly under the control of the Central Government. The skill training is provided through CTS and CITS and some of the courses are Electronics, Catering and Hospitality, Sewing technology, Food Production (General), Draughtsman Civil and many more.
The Government is going to set up eight institutes in addition to the existing eleven institutes to enhance the skill oriented training among women in India. Apart from this National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme-2(NAPS-2) aims to promote apprenticeship training by providing a partial stipend to support apprentices engaged under Apprentice Act, 1961.
In the year 2023, the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship felicitate the all India Toppers apprentice efforts in popular trades such as Fitter, welder, Electrician, Plumber, Wireman, Turner, Machinist, Motor mechanic, Computer operator and Program Assistant. Many women were bestowed with the prestigious award this year for their hand on skill expertise in fitter, welder, and motor mechanic trades. Their contribution towards boosting the economy and job market is commendable. Their dedication is unquestionable. So get ready dear woman, write your own history with nails and tools.