Kriti’s vocational training program serves women who are looking to supplement their household income. Many studies have reported the beneficial impact of income generation by the women in the family. They are more likely to spend the additional income on better nutrition for the family and education for their children. Hence, Project Milan is a vocational training program (stitching, embroidery, mehndi designing and beautician programs) which enables women and girls to learn and enhance their skills and confidence by making themselves self- reliant. Kriti has been running these vocational training programs since 2014. This year we have launched a beautician training program as there are more opportunities for jobs and income generation with this skill in urban areas. We have started three beautician centers - at Tolichowki, Suraram and Bhoiguda.

Training Courses offered at the centers:

• Four month self employed tailor course that teaches operation of a domestic sewing machine and cutting and stitching of seven to eight commonly worn ladies garments. In addition to the technical skills, women are taught machine maintenance, understanding about fabrics and personal safety. They are also given soft skills training on topics such as communication skills, time management, nutrition, menstrual hygiene etc to help them to improve their knowledge on these relevant topics.
• A brief one month basic course on mehndi designing that teaches techniques to apply mehndi and creating different designs using motifs.
• Hand embroidery - three month course on hand embroidery that covers kantha work, applique work and banjara embroidery. This is offered in limited centers only.
• Beautician program - a four month on course to teach basic beautician skills that includes waxing, threading, facials, massages, hair styles, make up and other beautician skills that will enable trainees to get jobs at beauty parlors.

No. of women completed training in 2022-23:

Tailoring: 281

Beautician: 30

Mehndi designing - 75

Kriti has seven vocational training centers running as of October 2023:

Tailoring training is being conducted at Suraram, Talabkatta, Bhoiguda and Nallaguta. Beautician programs are ongoing at Tolichowki, Suraram and Bhoiguda. EMbroidery training is going on Talabkatta. Mehndi designing courses are conducted during the summer holidays at 3-4 centers targeting young girls and women