“Uttar Pradesh opens new skill training centers for women, targeting economic empowerment through vocational courses. Aimed at bridging gender gaps, these centers offer training in tailoring, IT, and more, with a focus on employment. The initiative aligns with the Skill India Mission, aiming to train thousands and boost women’s workforce participation.”
Uttar Pradesh Bolsters Women’s Empowerment with New Skill Training Centers
In a significant step toward gender equality and economic empowerment, the Uttar Pradesh government has launched a series of new skill training centers exclusively for women across the state. These centers, inaugurated in 2025, are part of the broader Skill India Mission and aim to equip women with market-oriented skills to enhance their employability and financial independence. The initiative comes at a time when India’s female labor force participation rate remains low, with only 27% of women engaged in formal employment, according to recent data from the Ministry of Labour and Employment.
The new centers, strategically located in both urban and rural areas, offer a range of vocational courses tailored to meet industry demands. Popular programs include tailoring, beautician training, computer skills, and emerging fields like artificial intelligence and cybersecurity. The Uttar Pradesh Skill Development Mission (UPSDM) has set an ambitious target to train over 50,000 women in the next two years, with 30% of its training slots reserved for women from marginalized communities, including minorities and differently-abled individuals. This aligns with the UPSDM’s mandate to ensure equitable access to skill development, particularly for vulnerable groups.
A key feature of these centers is their focus on placement support. According to UPSDM officials, at least 70% of trained women are expected to secure gainful employment or entrepreneurial opportunities upon course completion. Partnerships with private organizations, such as Amazon Cares and READ India, have been established to facilitate job placements and provide resources like sewing machines to trainees. For instance, centers in districts like Lucknow and Kanpur have reported success stories of women starting small businesses after completing tailoring and handicraft courses.
The initiative also addresses barriers to women’s participation in skill training. Many centers offer crèche facilities to support young mothers, flexible training schedules, and transportation assistance to overcome mobility challenges. A 2023 study by Ernst and Young highlighted that 28.3% of women drop out of skill training programs due to commuting difficulties, a challenge these centers aim to mitigate. Additionally, the government is promoting non-traditional trades for women, encouraging enrollment in fields like IT and electronics, which have historically been male-dominated.
The National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) has played a pivotal role in supporting these centers, providing curriculum aligned with the National Skills Qualifications Framework (NSQF). Over 16 lakh women have been trained nationwide by NSDC partners since 2015, with Uttar Pradesh contributing significantly to this number. The state’s efforts are complemented by collaborations with organizations like the Mann Deshi Foundation, which focus on rural women’s skill development in areas like digital literacy and entrepreneurship.
Despite these advancements, challenges remain. Social norms and family responsibilities continue to hinder women’s participation. A 2021 study by the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) noted that 39% of women who received vocational training did not join the workforce due to societal pressures or lack of family support. To counter this, the new centers are incorporating counseling and mentorship programs to encourage women to pursue training and employment.
The Uttar Pradesh government’s investment in these centers is a response to the state’s economic needs, with India requiring 103 million skilled workers by 2022, a demand that persists today. By focusing on women, the initiative not only aims to bridge the gender gap but also to harness the state’s demographic dividend, where the median age remains a youthful 28 years. As these centers roll out, they are poised to transform the lives of thousands of women, offering them a pathway to economic independence and a stronger presence in India’s workforce.
Disclaimer: This article is based on recent reports, government announcements, and data from the Uttar Pradesh Skill Development Mission, Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, and National Skill Development Corporation. Information is sourced from publicly available documents and news reports. Readers are advised to verify details with official sources for the latest updates.