P. Abhirami had to discontinue studies after high school for want of money. She will soon have a job as a web designer, thanks to the free course she completed at the P. Obul Reddy Vocational Training Institute of Andhra Mahila Sabha.
She was among the first batch of 25 students who received certificates for completing a course in web designing and graphics, at a function here on Monday. “My father is a barber. This course has helped me gain knowledge and paved way for me to find a job,” Ms. Abhirami said.
The other students are also from similar backgrounds and hope that the three-month course would improve their living standard. R.Selvi of Mylapore said, “I could not pursue higher studies after marriage. My husband is a painter. He does not get regular income. I applied for the course to earn a steady income. This course has also boosted my confidence level.”
The programme is one of the nearly 40 free vocational courses being offered by the Institute. Distributing the certificates, SAARC Chamber of Women Entrepreneur Council's (SCWEC) advisory member V.L. Indira Dutt said students must make use of the opportunity to become economically independent. The course was sponsored by the SCWEC. The students would undergo three-month internship in a multimedia institution after which they would be placed in different companies.
The Institute is introducing a course in computer-aided stenography next month.
K. Srilakshmi Mohan Rao, the Institute's secretary said about 300 students are trained in various courses every year. The Institute also ensures job placements for them. “We even teach car driving. Most of the students are earning between Rs.2,500 to 15,000 a month. We also arrange bank loans for students who want to become entrepreneurs,” she said.
Some students who completed basic computer science course also worked as data entry operators for preparing the voters identity cards, she said. The Institute, which is also a study centre for Indira Gandhi National Open University, is set to introduce four more certificate courses for the benefit of underprivileged women.
