Rural youth from economically disadvantaged families often face significant barriers in accessing higher education and formal employment opportunities. any young people, particularly girls, tend to dropout because of financial constraints, limited opportunities, family responsibilities, or social expectations. As a result, many rural youth remain trapped in cycles of unemployment, underemployment, or low-paid informal work. The lack of technical skills and recognized qualifications also limits their access to stable and evolutive jobs.
To address this challenge, our Support for Rural Girls and Boys Technical Education Programme aims at improving employability and income-generation opportunities among rural youth from economically and socially marginalized families in and around Mugaiyur, Tamil Nadu. Implemented throught St.Xavier’s Indutstrual Training Centre (ITC), the programme provides government-certified vocational and technical education to rural girls and boys from approximately 15 surrounding villages. Students receive professional training in such areas such as dress making, embroidery, needlework, computer technology, and system maintenance.
The courses are certified by the National Council for Vocational Training (NCVT) and the State Council for Vocational Training (SCVT), ensuring that graduates obtain officially recognized qualifications that enhance their employment prospects.
The programme also collaborates with Nehru Yuva Kendra, a Government of India institution dedicated to youth development, which provides additional training in handicrafts, entrepreneurship, and livelihood development.
By providing to young people marketable skills and recognized certifications, the programme contributes to poverty reduction, gender equality, decent work opportunities, and inclusive rural development.