Odisha’s Young Women Carve Global Careers Through Skill Training

Bhubaneswar: From the remote villages of Odisha to international job markets, young women in the state are scripting powerful stories of transformation—armed with skills, determination, and the unwavering support of the Skilled-in-Odisha initiative and the World Skill Center (WSC) in Bhubaneswar.

Anjulata Negi, a resident of Bargarh district who lost her father at an early age, never imagined a life beyond her village. But today, after completing electrician training at ITI Bheden and advanced technical training at WSC, she is working with EFS Facilities Services in Dubai, earning an annual package of ₹6.15 lakh. “WSC helped me believe in myself and gave me the skills to succeed,” she says with pride.

Her journey is echoed by many others. Priti Sahoo from Keonjhar, who grew up with limited means and a homemaker mother, completed a course in Beauty and Wellness at WSC. Today, she is employed with a London-based cruise company, earning ₹20.16 lakh annually.

Afreen Begum from Ganjam district overcame economic challenges to specialize in Vertical Transportation. She now works with Johnsons Lift Company in Chennai, while Jasmin Kandpan from Koraput has turned her passion for grooming into a career as Salon Manager at Looks Salon, with an annual income of ₹4.2 lakh.

These are just a few among hundreds of success stories that have emerged from the World Skill Center, a flagship institution under the Odisha Skill Development Authority. Over the past four years, WSC has achieved 100% placement across five batches, with graduates securing jobs in multinational companies, international cruise liners, and leading Indian firms.

With two dedicated schools—School of Engineering and School of Services—the institution provides advanced training in seven high-demand skill domains, combining technical education with soft skills, international standards, and real-world exposure. A key indicator of impact is the steady increase in women’s enrollment, which has risen consistently from the first to the seventh batch.

More than just technical knowledge, WSC equips students with life skills like communication, professionalism, and adaptability—ensuring they are ready to lead in a modern, global workplace.

As Odisha’s skilled women take their place on the world stage, the state’s model of inclusive, skill-based empowerment is emerging as a beacon for the rest of India. These journeys are more than employment milestones—they are powerful testaments to what focused training, inclusive policies, and personal resilience can achieve.

In the words of a WSC official, “These young women are not just skilled professionals—they are role models, changemakers, and ambassadors of a confident, capable Odisha.”