Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi, the Minister for School Education in Tamil Nadu, recently launched Nipuni, a pioneering career readiness program aimed at empowering college girls.The initiative, conceived by Avtar Human Capital Trust (AHCT), was unveiled during the 12th edition of Udyog Utsav, a one-day career visioning conference. The event was held at Srimad Andavan Arts and Science College in Trichy and witnessed participation from over 400 students representing nine schools across Tamil Nadu.
Nipuni is designed to equip college girls with essential skills to transition into the corporate workforce, with a focus on building a self-reliant and skilled future workforce for India. The program is a continuation of AHCT’s commitment to bridge the gender gap in education and employment. This new initiative follows the success of AHCT’s Project Puthri, a flagship life skills training program aimed at girls in government schools.
Minister Poyyamozhi, in his address, emphasized the critical role of initiatives like Nipuni in empowering young women to take charge of their futures. He praised Avtar’s dedication to bridging gender disparities in both education and the corporate sector.
In addition to the launch, the event also recognized educational institutions running Project Puthri’s training programs. Notable guests at the event included Dr. Saundarya Rajesh, Managing Trustee of AHCT, CA. Venkatesh R, Secretary and Correspondent, and Dr. M. Pitchaimani, Principal of Srimad Andavan College.
During her speech, Dr. Saundarya highlighted that Nipuni aligns with the Prime Minister’s Internship Program, offering young women valuable career training in communication, leadership, project management, and IT skills. The goal is to prepare 10,000 college girls over the next three years for successful careers in corporate India. AHCT’s latest research, The Career Connection: Demystifying Success for Young Women in India’s Emerging Workforce, was also shared, revealing the unique motivations and challenges faced by first-generation women graduates.
In addition to career readiness, AHCT’s Project Puthri has positively impacted over 12,000 underprivileged girls, providing mentorship and career-focused skills training. The program reaches out to girls from economically disadvantaged backgrounds, including orphans and children of single parents, and offers career coaching tailored to individual needs.
AHCT’s commitment extends beyond training, offering scholarships to girls pursuing higher education. In 2022-23 alone, AHCT provided Rs. 50 lakhs in scholarships to students from various fields, including vocational courses, arts, science, and engineering.
Through its initiatives, AHCT and Avtar Group are committed to increasing women’s participation in India’s workforce, ensuring a more inclusive and diverse future for young women across the country.
