"Belonging from other backward caste and economically backward family, I, Nirmala Nishad come from Rajnandgaon, Chattisgarh. I’m 33 years old and have been married for about ten years. My husband works as a laborer in a local factory and earns close to Rs. 6,000 in a month. Having two children, it becomes very difficult to meet the day-to-day expenses. Our expenses were increasing every month with the cost of amenities increasing. After seeing my family undergo difficult times, I realized if my husband could use his skills and find work, I couldn’t sit at home and not contribute to my family.

I looked around for employment, but I was only an 8th class pass out and all organizations wanted expertise, if not proper education. They didn't understand that my mother was the only earning member in our family and she couldn't continue to pay for our education for long. But I was determined to provide education to my children and didn't give up hope.

One day, the counsellors from Pratham Institute visited our village. They informed us about various skill training courses. I heard about the available courses and decided this could build my path towards securing a future for me and my family. From all the courses, I was keen to join Bedside Assistant course but due to my education I wasn’t able to meet the required criteria for the course. Talking to the counsellors, I got to know about the courses in plumbing. They made me understand the components of training, the plumbing sector, the job profiles that were required in the sector along with the scope of building a self-contracting business.

After understanding the growth in the plumbing industry, I assured my family and decided to enroll myself at the training centre of Pace Plumbing Training Institute at Raipur. I joined the course of two months and my training will get over by March end. With my performance so far, my trainers have assured that I would be able to get a job and go a long way. I’m confident I will because my motivation are my children and I wouldn’t give up. PACE has also assured me that they would help me find placement once I have completed my assessment and certification. I will work harder and harder and make sure that my children get higher education and proper living conditions. "

This is a first-hand experience by Nirmala Nirshad who has broken the conventions and opted for the course of plumbing. Her source of dedication are her children and she hopes that the education and opportunities she couldn’t get due to financial constraints, her children do. Nirmala is undergoing training at Pratham Institute, an approved training partner of National Skill Development Corporation. She is among the thousands of women who have come forward to pursue skill training in the area of their interest and secure a life of security and dignity.