Skill Developemnt
Sofia is running 8 vocational training centre where we train more than 4000 boys & girls in following courses every year
Our Professional Courses
Computer
Stitching & Tailoring
Fashion Designing
DIGITAL MARKETTING
Calligraphy
Urdu & Arabic
Beauty Culture & Mehendi
CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIP AND SALES
Electrician
AC, Refrigerator Repairing Course
Sewing Machine Operator
PARAMEDICALS
Promotion of Urdu, Arabic Language and Calligraphy
Sofia Education & Welfare Society has been promoting and operating an Urdu, Arabic Language centre for 7 years with the support of National Council for Promotion of Urdu Language (NCPUL), Ministry of HRD, Govt. of India. The aim of this program is to give exposure to graphic designing, applied art and calligraphy, in Urdu and Arabic language. In last 9 years, more than 4200 beneficiaries have been awarded certificates. Sofia got the permission to put up a stall of calligraphy in Hunar Haat. Since calligraphy is an international art, the camp was widely appreciated by the audience and was quite a success. We managed to generate good sale there. Various activities are conducted throughout the year in calligraphy and graphic design. Sofia is running an authorized study centre of Urdu since last year, and Arabic and calligraphic design since past three years.
Vocational and Financial Empowerment of Women
The key of empowerment of any society lies in the empowerment of its women. Girls lack access to financial capital and have limited opportunities to gain education, knowledge and skills that can lead to economic advancement. Inadequate policy frameworks and inequitable gender norms also create barriers to girls’ economic advancement. The factors that contribute to adolescent girls’ economic empowerment must have three main approaches – financial employment, life-skills and social support strategies. Vocational Empowerment triggers the capabilities of a woman to exercise control over her own life, to decision making which is essential to promote their well-being and socio-economic development process. An empowered woman is capable of making her own choices and plays a role of a change agent.
Vocational skills develop and nourish their knowledge and leadership ability. An empowered woman plays a transformative role, reduces unemployment and becomes an economically contributing member. Vocational and financial empowerment develops technical capabilities, entrepreneurship and business skills. The factors that indicate economically empowered women are financial independence, employment and life skills and social support strategies. Women’s economic empowerment does not only depend on creation of employment, but also on protective policy environments and community-based support for their entry into any business. Sofia Educational & Welfare Society has been working in the field of education, health, hygiene, advocacy, women empowerment, and providing vocational training like cutting and tailoring, dress designing, beauty culture and computer training to girls and women especially in the minority area and to weaker section of the society. Sofia works with an aim to make them self-reliant, self-confident and giving them placement. We have been able to train more than a thousand female candidates under various vocational training programs in the last 14 years. With a focus on connecting with livelihood, we have been able to place more than 70-75 percent in different companies and some of them are running their own business.
Sofia Educational & Welfare Society has been running various programs with the support of different agencies to provide vocational training and financial empowerment to women. These programs are as such:
- NIOS Accreditation: We offer vocational training programs accredited by the National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS), under the Ministry of HRD, Government of India. After completing the training, beneficiaries take an exam to receive a government-authorized certificate, which helps them secure jobs in both the private and government sectors.
- Registered Vocational Training Program: Our Vocational Training Program (VTP) is officially registered with the Directorate General of Employment & Training (DGE&T), Ministry of Labour, Government of India.
Promotion of Urdu, Arabic Language and Calligraphy: Sofia Educational & Welfare Society has been running an Urdu, Persian and Arabic Language Centre for the past 16 years, supported by the National Council for Promotion of Urdu Language
(NCPUL), under the Ministry of HRD, Govt. of India. The aim of this program is to teach and promote languages such as Urdu, Arabic & Persian and Calligraphy alongwith graphic design and applied art. Over 10,500 students have successfully completed the
program and received certificates. Sofia recently showcased their calligraphy work at Hunar Haat, Jashn –e- Rekhta and many more events that celebrate traditional arts and crafts.. Throughout the year, we organize workshops and activities focused on calligraphy and graphic design.
- Tihar Jail Rehabilitation Program: With support from BSES Yamuna Power Limited, we run a rehabilitation program at Mandoli Jail for both convicts and undertrials. This program offers vocational training in stitching, computer skills, and beauty culture, along with soft skills and personality development.
- Vocational Training Centers: In partnership with Tata Power Delhi Distribution Limited, we manage three vocational training centers that also serve as community outreach centers. This program offers vocational training in stitching, computer skills,
and beauty culture, along with soft skills and personality development.One of these centers is located in Lucknow, where we promote “Energy Clubs,” a “Women Literacy Centre,” and various awareness campaigns, including health check-ups and informative talks.
- Sofia SMART Centre: With support from Tech Mahindra Foundation, we operate the Sofia SMART Centre, providing training in Digital Marketing, Customer Relationship Management, and Sales. Our program focuses on both technical skills and personal development, including soft skills and mental well-being.
- Shashakt Centre: Thanks to National Fertilizer Limited (NFL), we run the “Shashakt Centre,” which offers advanced fashion design training for underprivileged women, along with livelihood support.
- Shahi Skill Development Centre: Supported by Shahi Export Pvt. Ltd., this center has trained and placed many women as sewing machine operators, providing them with a starting salary, provident fund, and ESI benefits.
Livelihood & Employment
At Sofia, we believe that uplifting a community requires a holistic approach that includes skill development, and livelihood support. Alongside our vocational training programs, we help individuals become economically self-sufficient in two main ways:
Job Placement: We connect those who have learned new skills at our vocational centers with job opportunities.
Small Business Support: For individuals who are already skilled, we provide the resources and guidance needed to start their own small businesses.
Job Placement & Rehabilitation
Job placements are the ultimate end of the process of bringing young people into the mainstream. The organization makes sure to extend its support and mentoring by continuing to maintain contact with these young adults and ensuring that they find stability, and then growth, in their work. Along with providing vocational training, Sofia Educational & Welfare Society also provides employment to the passionate, hard-working and needy students. During the year 2020-21, more than 2200 trainees got jobs in organization like Harshit Info Solutions Pvt. Ltd; Indian Institute of Technical Education, Parivartan Eduskills Pvt. Ltd.; AK Info, Big Bazar, Citi Info Service, Noida etc. Sofia Educational and Welfare Society have also linked its trainees with self-employment in stitching work by connecting them with private wholesale vendors of Gandhi Nagar, Delhi. Besides these Sofia also provides open schools because it believes that Education is necessary to become economically independent and to become empowered. Education gives a woman freedom of thought. It broadens her outlook and makes her aware of her rights.
Our goal is to help young people transition into stable careers. We stay in touch with our trainees, offering ongoing support and mentorship to ensure they find stability and opportunities for growth. Over the past few years, 76% of our trainees have secured jobs with companies such as Harshit Info Solutions Pvt. Ltd., Indian Institute of Technical Education, Parivartan Eduskills Pvt. Ltd., Big Bazaar, and McDonald’s.
Through our dedicated efforts, we have linked over 18,000 individuals to various livelihood opportunities, showcasing the success of our initiatives:
- Sofia SMART Kitchen: Run by survivors of domestic violence who have trained at our SMART Centre, this professional kitchen partners with food delivery services like Swiggy and Zomato, representing resilience and growth.
- Sofia Snacks Kiosk: Two survivors operate a kiosk at Jay Pravesh Chand Hospital in Shastri Park, selling meals and snacks and achieving financial independence with regular earnings.
- Tiffin Services & Food Stalls: We assist individuals in starting tiffin services and provide support to set up food stalls, helping them sell their homemade products.
- Rotary SMART Stitching Centre: In partnership with the Tech Mahindra Foundation and Rotary Club, this center offers stitching work, allowing women to earn a stable income by making garments and masks.
- Sofia SMART Boutiques: Supported by the NGO Goonj, these boutiques are run by groups of domestic violence survivors in Dayalpur and Brahmpuri, providing sustainable income for each member.
- Sewing Machine Distribution: With Goonj’s help, we have distributed sewing machines and set up 20 boutiques in the North East District of Delhi, fostering small business creation.
Each of these initiatives demonstrates Sofia’s commitment to not only developing skills but also creating a supportive environment that promotes ongoing growth and independence.
Sofia Address:
Sofia Imaging & Diagnostic Centre: 664, Gali No. 6, Old Mustafabad, Delhi 110094
Project Mauqa & Shakeela Begum Charitable Dispensary: Gali No. 6, infront of Umar Masjid
SOFIA MAHILA PANCHAYAT: X – 1/13 Gali no. 5 Krishna Gali X- Block Brahmpuri Delhi 110053
Sofia SMART Centre: A 24, 2nd Floor, Main Wazirabad Road Brijpuri Delhi 110094
Sofia Paramedical and Management Institute: A 24, 1st Floor, Main Wazirabad Road Brijpuri Delhi 110094
Sofia Vocational Training Centre: A-Block Old Bus Stand Shahabad Dairy Delhi -110042
Sofia Vocational Training Centre: Purana Sub. Station Building, Behind, Mohamadi Masjid (choti Masjid) Inderlok, Delhi -11003