Nagpur: Inside a training lab located within the Ambajhari Ordnance Factory campus, a quiet technological shift is unfolding. Around soldering irons, circuit boards and propellers, a group of women who until recently spent most of their time managing kitchens at homes are now assembling drones — piece by piece.
The transformation is part of a unique skill development initiative launched by the Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) social welfare department. Recently, 30 women completed a two-month drone technician training programme under the initiative. Supported by a govt grant of Rs11,000 per trainee, the course ran from December to February and introduced participants to the fast-growing world of drone technology.
For NMC, the programme marks a significant departure from traditional livelihood training programmes usually offered to women. "Earlier we organised courses such as weaving, stitching, pickle-making and other small household-based skills," said additional municipal commissioner Vaishnavi B.
"Now, we want to align training programmes with the needs of modern industries. That is why we started the drone technician training programme in association with the VDIA Engineering Design Innovation Centre (VEDIC)," she added.
The course was designed to emphasise hands-on learning rather than classroom lectures. Most participants came from modest educational backgrounds — many studied only up to Class 10 or 12 — so trainers focused on practical skills that could directly translate into employment.
Participants were taught to assemble drones from scratch, connect motors and sensors, solder electronic components, and understand battery systems and flight controllers. Though drone flying itself was not part of the syllabus, trainees were introduced to the science behind how drones function and the regulations governing their use.
"We focused on practical learning because theory alone would not help them," said VEDIC director Bhavna Deshpande. "Instead of emphasising written work, we trained them to physically assemble the drone and understand how each component works," Deshpande added.
The training went beyond technology. To build confidence among participants, the programme also included personality development sessions, communication exercises, and small presentations.
"For many women it was the first time they stood up and explained something in front of others," Deshpande said. "By the end of the course they were confidently explaining the parts of a drone to visitors," she said.
For 25-year-old Mansi Agashe, a BCom graduate, the experience opened a door to a career she never imagined. After completing both theory and practical assessments, she and her batchmates are now preparing for interviews with companies linked to the programme.
Another trainee, 36-year-old Hema Thakur, said the training offered a chance to step beyond conventional career options. A BA graduate and former schoolteacher, she said opportunities in the education sector became increasingly competitive.
"Teaching is the only career path we usually think of after graduation," she said, adding, "But this course helped me learn something completely new and technical."
For Thakur, the opportunity arrived unexpectedly. She first heard about the programme while visiting an NMC office to pay property tax and overheard a conversation about the training.
After completing the course, the women were also exposed to industry platforms where they interacted with companies and explained drone components at exhibition stalls — a first-hand experience of the technology ecosystem.
Officials say the next step is to connect trainees with industries for internships and potential job placements. Currently, the initiative involved only 30 women, but it signals a broader shift — one where skill development programmes are no longer limited to traditional crafts.
On the eve of Women's Day, the story of these trainees reflects a quiet but powerful change: women stepping out of kitchens and into laboratories, workshops and technology labs — assembling not just drones, but also new possibilities for their future.Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with
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