Did you know that KATHA School of Entrepreneurship has changed the lives of over 35,000 youth and women? More than 50% of KSE’s beneficiaries are women!
There was a girl named Renu from the slums of Delhi: a regular girl with big dreams. From a young age, she loved stitching. She often helped her mother mend clothes and soon lent her services out to her neighbors. Renu knew she was good at her craft, but she wanted to do more – she wanted to use her talents to support her family. She couldn’t request compensation for her services from her neighbors because they didn’t have anything to give. She needed to work for someone else.
When Renu went out into the world, she realized that no one would hand her a job just because she mended clothes at home. Employers needed proof of her skills. That’s when she came across KATHA School of Entrepreneurship (KSE), where she found a tailoring course certified by the Ministry of Human Resource Development and the National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS).
Renu enrolled in KSE with a heart full of hope and determination. For the first time, she was in a structured learning environment, surrounded by other women who shared her dreams.
At first, she was nervous – what if she wasn’t good enough? But her confidence grew as the days passed. With her instructors’ guidance, she mastered intricate stitching techniques, embroidery and pattern-making. She even learned how to use a sewing machine – something she had never touched before.
After months of hard work, Renu proudly received her certification. It was more than a piece of paper; it was proof that she had skill, proof that she was employable. Soon after, she landed a job in a reputable Delhi boutique, where she earned her first salary. When she brought the money home, her mother’s eyes filled with tears – this was the first time anyone in their family had earned a steady income.
Every industry faces challenges and the tailoring industry is no excpetion. KSE strives to make problems disappear, one day at a time. Read on to learn how problems are solved in the tailoring industry.
Challenges to Women and the Tailoring Industry
The tailoring industry has long faced significant challenges – from skilled labor shortages and fierce competition with ready-made garments to evolving consumer preferences, limited funding, outdated technology, and gaps in business and marketing skills.
Meanwhile, women pursuing economic independence also face obstacles like:
- Restricted access to education
- Early marriage
- Domestic violence
- Financial exclusion
- Digital illiteracy
Here’s how KSE addresses problems under both umbrellas.
Providing Education and Certification
KSE increases the availability of skilled labor in the tailoring industry. Its courses are certified by the Ministry of Human Resource Development and the NIOS. Certification communicates to prospective employers that KSE’s students possess valuable knowledge. It’s proof that their claim to have tailoring education is valid. Hence, they cannot be denied employment on these grounds.
Furthermore, KSE’s focus on training women from marginalized backgrounds helps bridge the education gap, reducing dropout rates and creating pathways to stable employment among the underprivileged and impoverished. The tailoring course offers not only education but also employment – 80% of students secure placements in reputable companies.
Ensuring Financial Independence to Battle Social Evils
Early marriage, domestic violence and inadequate healthcare access are often linked to financial dependency among women. Some families threaten to disown women if they refuse to marry, have children or if they speak out against their husbands.
Stable employment opportunities, on the other hand, give women agency over their personal and professional lives – simple access to their own funds can mean freedom to leave abusive environments and access basic medical care.
Providing education and certification helps solve the problems of low wages and financial dependance. Since students are well educated in their field of study, they are recruited by reputable companies. This leads to stable incomes that help families rise from poverty.
KSE does not only improve the tailoring industry but also focuses on helping women achieve their greatest potential and take control of their lives. By empowering women through education, certification, and employment opportunities, KSE helps them break cycles of poverty and dependence. Through its work, KSE bridges the gap between talent and opportunity, addressing industry challenges while uplifting those often left behind.