With the high education costs, it becomes challenging for weaker sections of society to access quality education. Most of the learners in this segment of society discontinue their studies and choose meagre employment to support their family. However, there are few exceptions that, through their will and determination, capitalize on the opportunities offered to them and earn a dignified and sustainable standard of living. One such story is of Ganesh More.

Belonging to an economically disadvantaged family, Ganesh More comes from the rural region of Alibaugh, Raigad. His father, the family'ssole bread earner, is a farm labourer, with a bare minimum income of Rs 5,000 per month. As a result, increased living costs have made it hard for him to meet the basic needs of the family. This compelled Ganesh not to go for higher studies and instead, choose a job that helps him provide for his family. He began to work in a small hotel nearby to contribute to his family’s revenue but due to absence of required skills, he was unable to succeed.

One day, Ganesh came to know about the Skill India Mission and the various training programs under the initiative. He considered this to be a great opportunity and visited the Panvel Pratham Plumbing Training Centre supported by Voltas, an authorized training partner of the Indian Plumbing Skills Council (IPSC) and National Skill Development Corporation, where he met the training centre counsellor.

He understood the components of the training, gained information about the plumbing sector, potential job profiles in the sector, scope and entrepreneurial idea of self-contracting among other factors. Assuring himself and his family, he enrolled himself for the two-month course where he became proficient at his skills and sectorial knowledge. Additionally, he also learnt how to converse in basic English, operate computers, present himself, write resumes along with theory and practical classes.

After completing the course, he was placed at MS Hydro Solutions Pvt. Ltd (Mumbai), as a Plumber, with a monthly salary of Rs.15,000 and added incentives. He has been working effectively and happily for the previous few months and is content with his job.

This is just a start for Ganesh as he feels this is the first step towards fulfilling his dreams. After securing a sustainable future for his family, he now plans to work overseas and has his passport ready to make this dream a reality. Ganesh is one of the millions of successful aspirants who have obtained better livelihood opportunities from the Skill India Mission training initiative.