From 4 per cent in 2011-12 the number of women trainees shot up to nearly 31 per cent of its total number of trainees in this financial year (as of February 2015). 

Participating at an event honouring skilled women and entrepreneurs of the nation on International Women’s Day, organised by the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) and NSDC, Rajiv Pratap Rudy, Union Minister for Skill Development & Entrepreneurship (I/C) and Parliamentary Affairs said, “This record growth in the number of women coming forward to acquire a skill is indeed impressive and encouraging. But we need to aim higher and work towards a day when we will have more skilled women than men in the country. Further, if we effectively close the skill gaps in various sectors, women must also take up skills in non-traditional sectors including those in manufacturing.”

He further said, “Women are the essence of our society. There are roles played by women that cannot be played by men. We have to reach out to the nook and corner of the country to help women acquire a skill and realise their entrepreneurial dreams.”

Dilip Chenoy, MD & CEO, National Skill Development Corporation said, “What NSDC, its Training Partners and Sector Skill Councils have together achieved in empowering women, is affirmative action at its best. Today there are 18 women heading various vocational training businesses (NSDC partners) and SSCs, performing a commendable job. We look forward to a day when women will be the majority in all these areas.”

Rudy later joined more than 100 skilled women and entrepreneurs to take a pledge to work towards the empowerment of women. 

 

He also launched a book titled “Honour Her Hunar” jointly published by MSDE and NSDC, which narrates the inspiring stories of over 30 skilled women from across the country.