Vocational Training
These vocational courses in Computer skills, Retail skills, and culinary skills (for a period of 12 months each) are accredited by Guru Nanak College and our students obtain a certificate from Guru Nanak College on successful completion of the course.
The following are the main focus areas for vocational training in Swabodhini:
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Retail skills Training
Retail skills Training
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Retail skills Training
Computer Skills
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Retail skills Training
Culinary
Retail Skills Training
Swabodhini’s dream project and brainchild is Swayam Shoppe, a retail grocery outlet. As pioneers to have introduced retail skill training for special children this outlet, a vocational training unit of Swabodhini Charitable Trust, is funded and managed by the Trust, to train the students in the activities of managing a retail shop.
We have adopted a unique style of teaching, enabling each and every child a chance to acquire and apply knowledge and skills in an immediate and relevant real time setting. This idea of extending the classroom from conventional borders to a real life setting helps our children to develop their communication and socialisation skills.
It is in this context we have set up a small retail outlet within easy reach for the school staff, parents and students. This shop is an initiative to expose our children to real public interactive activities and impart basic knowledge for daily needs.
The above idea will be translated into training which will be imparted based on student cognition levels in the following areas:
- Identify different products
- Weigh and measure items
- Stack, sort, store products
- Keep the surroundings neat and tidy
- Prepare cash bills
- Interact with customers
- Handle and maintain cash through use of calculators
- Taking orders over phone
- Use computers for billing
- Interact with customers for their needs at the counters
- Delivering the items ordered to the customers, with guidance from trainers. This helps them not only to socialise, but also to read the door numbers, cross roads observing safety rules etc.
- Reading MRP and expiry dates.
- Stock taking and maintaining stock records.
Through this out-of-the-classroom experience, we could see our special children growing confident in understanding and handling money concepts and also interacting with public. And slowly, they will be able to equip themselves to become a part of the society and move into open employment. Opportunities for Internships and placements in small departmental stores and convenience stores are constantly pursued.
Computer Skills
Swabodhini believes in training students aged 14 years and above in the field of administrative assistants as part of its vocational training curriculum.
Administrative assistants are primarily responsible for coordinating the operational tasks of any office. The specific duties and required skills of an administrative assistant change based on their place of employment and level of expertise, but generally include a combination of clerical and managerial tasks.
The advent of technology in the modern office has greatly expanded the role of the administrative assistant, and many employers now expect job applicants to possess good computer skills along with basic administrative training.
The above idea will be translated into training which will be imparted based on student cognition levels in the following areas:
- Using the phone, fax, scanner etc
- Data entry and managing databases,
- Preparing and printing documents on a computer
- Disseminating information (through email and internal memos)
- Photocopying
- Scanning and saving of documents on a computer
- Browsing and effective use of worldwide web (www)
- Recording ,storing and supplying of information using a paper- based filing system
- Maintenance of visitors log and feedback
- MS Office, Mails, Browsing, Photoshop,Corel Draw, Tally, PageMaker etc
The above vocational training are designed to run over a period of 12 months after completion of which students will be issued certificates which will enable them to be placed in employment. Internship in offices and open employment opportunities are constantly looked out for.
Culinary
Swabodhini has introduced culinary skill training as part of vocational training activity. Different food items are prepared everyday by this batch of students as per the time table laid out at the beginning of each month. These food items are consumed by the students, staff and the parents of children who wait at the school to drop and pick up their children.
There has been very good response to this skill set both from the parents and the children
The above idea will be translated into training which will be imparted in basic cooking activities based on student cognition levels in the following areas:
- Identification of fruits/vegetables/pulses/cereals etc
- Cutting chopping of vegetables and fruits
- Peeling of onions, pea pods, garlic etc
- Measurements, weighing etc of items needed for cooking
- Operating basic kitchen gadgets like microwave, cooker, mixer, juicer etc
- Preparation of tea/coffee and mixing of drinks, juices etc
- Preparation of sandwiches, salads, chaat items and other dry foods
No of students to be trained and benefitted: 10 students every batch over a period of 18 months as a certificate course.
The students develop home science skills and are trained to lead an independent and meaningful life in society. Also internships and employable opportunities in bakeries, restaurants, cafes and kitchen units are considered.
Milestone Success
Placing 5 of our students in open employment and in a multinational company, has been an achievement and a milestone crossed, for Swabodhini. These 5 students joined the company as “Junior Technicians” and they now draw a handsome salary. Swabodhini applauds these 5 students and is very proud to have been a part of their achievement!