Berhampur’s government-run Industrial Training Institute (ITI) in Odisha has emerged as a trailblazer in promoting girl students’ admission in male-dominated ITIs across India. In the 2023-24 educational session, the institute achieved a remarkable 37 percent enrollment of girl students, surpassing the national average of 15 percent. Among a total of 2016 seats in 27 different trades, 745 girl students and 1271 boys opted for admission in ITI Berhampur. Notably, girls dominated various trades, such as computer operator and programming assistant (106:14), Sewing Technology (71:9), and Technician Mechatronics (14:10). 

This surge in girls’ interest in ITI courses started in 2016-17 and has been consistently growing, except for a slight dip in the 2022-23 session. The increase in girls’ admission can be attributed to the government’s ‘Sudakhya’ scheme, which covers maintenance charges up to 1500 per month, provides free uniforms, admissions, and books. The provision of well-furnished hostels in rural areas further attracts girls to pursue vocational education. The government’s efforts to boost girls’ representation in ITIs have yielded positive results, with girls already securing jobs in reputable public and private sector companies. The institute has been training girls in various sectors, emphasizing waste-to-wealth initiatives, allowing them to earn while learning. ITI Berhampur sets an inspiring example for other institutes across the country, demonstrating the benefits of promoting and supporting girl students’ participation in vocational education