The Odisha government has joined hands with the Udaiti Foundation to launch a diagnostic study and employment pilot under the Sudakshya Scheme, aiming to improve job opportunities for women trainees in technical education.
The Skill Development and Technical Education (SDTE) Department issued a directive on January 27, 2026, extending support to the Foundation. The Sudakshya Scheme, introduced in 2018, boosted female enrollment in ITIs, polytechnics, and vocational institutions. However, only a small percentage of trainees transitioned into formal employment, exposing gaps between training and placement.
The Udaiti Foundation will conduct a six-month diagnostic study from December 2025 to May 2026. The study will analyse enrollment patterns, retention rates, placement outcomes, and systemic challenges. Researchers will visit institutions, interview students, trainers, and industry partners, and review institutional data to provide evidence-based recommendations.
Alongside the study, the Foundation will pilot an employment initiative using a flexi-staffing model. Women will be formally employed by staffing companies and deployed to client organisations. This model ensures statutory benefits such as Provident Fund, Employees’ State Insurance, and paid leave, while offering flexibility to help women shift from informal to formal employment.
The government will facilitate access to institutions and data, while the Udaiti Foundation will bear the costs of the study and pilot. Ruchika Mohanty, Programme Associate at Udaiti Foundation, will coordinate the initiative.
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