Community Camps: Bringing Vocational Training Closer to Home

Pratham’s Skilling programme is transforming the futures of young people across India by providing practical, industry-relevant training in sectors such as the care economy, STEM, IT-enabled services and green skills. In the last year alone, the programme has trained over 28,500 youth, placed more than 23,000 in jobs connected to their skills, and up-skilled over 4,000 self-taught workers. Through hands-on learning, personalised counselling and close ties with industry, Pratham is helping young people turn their ambitions into real opportunities.

But many young people, especially women in rural areas, find it difficult or impossible to leave their homes for long-term residential training. Family commitments, social expectations and financial challenges often stand in the way.

To meet this need, Pratham expanded its Skilling programme by launching Community Training Camps. These camps deliver short, local training right where people live, making it easier for those who cannot move away to still access quality vocational skills.

The camps include practical, hands-on courses held in villages and small towns. They also feature tool-kit exhibitions and self-learning materials, helping young people discover different career paths and the skills they will need. Because the training is non-residential and local, it reduces costs and allows participants to stay connected with their communities.

Over the past year, Community Training Camps have trained over 1,900 youth, placed more than 1,200 in jobs across India, and up-skilled over 590 self-taught workers with certifications and connections to employers.

These camps are a vital extension of the existing centre-based training model, allowing Pratham’s Skilling programme to reach even more young people who might otherwise miss out.

By bringing training closer to home, Pratham is making sure more young people have the chance to gain skills, secure jobs and build better futures without leaving their communities.

You can help support this vital work by donating today. Every contribution brings training and opportunity closer to those who need it most.