Women in men’s trades battle sceptics

Netra Arjun is among nine girls in a class of 50 youngsters training to become surveyors at the Industrial Training Institute in Byculla.

Netra Arjun is among nine girls in a class of 50 youngsters training to become surveyors at the Industrial Training Institute in Byculla.

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Initially, the skewed gender ratio made her self-conscious and inhibited.

“It does not affect me any more,” said the 19-year-old. “I know that with this skill, I will get a job fast because there is a shortage of surveyors. With a B. Com, I would have earned Rs 3,000. In contrast, one of my seniors just landed a job in the U.S.”

Surveyors inspect, measure and determine the structural dimensions and conditions of a site on which a construction, such as a road or building, is planned.

Four years after setting up her garage in Kandivli, Sampada Sawant (33) one of the city’s very few women car mechanics, still confronts prejudice.

“Even today, when new customers come to my garage, they are very sceptical,” she said. “They don’t think a woman, that too one with a family, can handle their car.”

Despite these challenges, more and more women are training to be mechanics, machinists, welders, carpenters and operators at chemical plants at the state’s Industrial Training Institutes because they are usually much better paying than conventional women’s trades such as secretarial practice and computer operations.

In 2008, 353 women enrolled for unconventional trades. This year 479 have.

“This trend is not only seen in urban areas but even in the hinterland,” said H.R Suryavanshi, assistant director of the Directorate of Vocational Educational Training.