Please tell us a little bit about yourself.
I am Divya L, a Post Graduate in M.Sc. Apparel Technology and Management, from Bangalore University, currently working as a Training Officer in National Skill Training Institute for Women (NSTIW), Bengaluru under the Directorate General of Training ( DGT) of the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE), Govt. of India and imparting training in Apparel Sector since 2012. I am a winner of the National Teachers` Award 2023 given by the Hon`ble President of India.
How long have you been working with National Skill Training Institute for Women (NSTIW) ?
Since 2012
What inspired you to take up a career in fashion education and skill training?
I am interested in and have a passion for fashion and imparting training in Fashion Design and Technology/ Dress Making. Based on my qualifications, expertise, and experience I got selected as a Training Officer through the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) and got the opportunity to conduct training for Craft Instructor Training Scheme & Craftsmen Training Scheme for the trainees in this trade for past 13 years.
What do you like most about your job?
National Skill Training Institutes (NSTIs) were set up under the Directorate General of Training (DGT) to impart long-term and short-term training in different engineering and non-engineering sectors. I am fortunate to be part of the system in imparting skill training in Fashion Design and Technology leading to good employment opportunities for young women and creating entrepreneurs in the apparel sector. I am pleased to state that I have trained more than 300 trainees in the past decade out of which many are employed and a good number of them have become successful entrepreneurs in the apparel sector. It gives immense satisfaction in creating self-employment for young women across the country.
Women participation in workforce in India is pretty low. What are your thoughts on this?
Women participation in Apparel sector is quite good. And contribution of women in other areas is rapidly increasing in all walks of life.
As a working lady, how are you able to manage work-life balance?
I am comfortably managing my work-life balance at the office and at home. Due to the support of family members and colleagues.
How do you ensure effective skill development in the trainees?
Skill development can be effectively enhanced by interfacing training institutes and with industry partners. The gap between training institutes and industry should be reduced by more industry partners adopting training institutes to impart the current state of technology training to the trainees.
What type of digital tools training do you offer trainees at NSTIW Bengaluru?
We train our trainees on Digital Pattern Making, Pattern Grading, and AI enabled Marker Planning. We use REACH CAD software, a Made In India Apparel CAD software, to train our trainees on these. We also train our trainees on REACH Fashion Studio software, to create fashion illustrations, technical drawings, and techpacks.
As apparel sector processes are becoming increasingly digital, training our trainees on apparel sector specific digital tools is important.
What would be your advice to new trainees who join NSTIW Bengaluru?
The new trainees who join NSTIW Bengaluru will acquire the requisite skills in the selected area and will acquire sufficient knowledge to get employment in their chosen areas and some of them can also become entrepreneurs. My advice to them would be to work hard and sincerely with focus.
They will, as working women, contribute to their own well-being and that of the society at large and contribute to nation-building.
