Young Women's International Institute

The Young Women’s International Institute (YWII), located in Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh, is an independent grass-roots not-for-profit organisation, which provides women’s empowerment and educational opportunities for local Indian women. The YWII recognises that young women and girls in rural India face additional social, economic and security challenges, therefore we have designed a number of holistic, locally relevant education programs that provide vocational/workplace training and global life-skills to local women.

In order to ensure that our programs are available to young women from differing socio-economic backgrounds and education levels, we offer both free, short term courses and paid, long term courses, which cater to both basic and advanced needs. India’s unprecedented economic growth and rapid globalisation has brought many new and empowering opportunities for Indian women. Our programs ensure that local women have the appropriate skills, competencies and global awareness to overcome social and economic barriers, empower themselves and achieve their goals.

See www.ywii.org for more information.

YWII INTERNATIONAL INTERNSHIP PROGRAM

International interns are essential to many areas of our organisation. They provide global learning opportunities and a genuine cross-cultural experience for the students; and their passion and hard work drives our programs. The International Internship Program of YWII is designed to provide selected applicants with rewarding educational and learning experiences, as well as opportunities to contribute in one of several critical work areas in an educational institute in North India.

Interns will receive:

• Course credit (when required)
• Real-world international work experience
• Exposure to Indian culture and living in a developing country
• Professional and academic references
• Full cultural and workplace induction and training
• Ongoing mentoring and support from a dedicated onsite Intern Coordinator
• Accommodation (at Intern House or Student Residential Facility) including bedding, utilities, internet access, hot water and kitchen facilities.
• Meals will also be provided to interns that live at the Student Residential Facility during the academic semester.
• Long-term interns (12-24 months) will receive a small living stipend after 6 months service

NB. All interns are required to cover their own flights, visa, insurance and travel costs. YWII charges no weekly or monthly fees however we do ask all interns to pay a minimal one-off legal retainer/administration fee to cover our recruitment costs.

OUR PROGRAMS

Global Skills Program

The Young Women’s International Institute will launch the Global Skills Program (GSP) in September 2013. This is a 12 month residential program designed to provide unique global skills, personal development and vocational qualifications for the empowerment and education of young Indian women.

The GSP provides integrated internationally certified qualifications in partnership with EdExcel UK and Seeks Skills Australia in the areas of:

• Hospitality,
• Retail management and sales,
• Packaging, and
• Small business management.

In addition, students will receive education and skills development in:

• Spoken English and IELTS
• Operating computers & other electronic housekeeping equipment
• Western Kitchen, Cooking & Table Etiquettes
• Cross-cultural Awareness and Social Skills
• Family caregiver and health education
• Women rights and legal support
• Car driving

Our vocational qualifications are designed and developed by international training and accreditation institutions, giving the students internationally recognised qualifications at the completion of their studies. These qualifications, in combination with our additional skills development programs, seek to increase confidence, skill development, empowerment, and enhanced career pathway opportunities for local women from rural Punjab and Himachal Pradesh.

Our residential hostel and training facility is located in Dharamshala amidst the spectacular Himalaya’s in Northern India.

English and IT Preparatory Courses

Our English and IT Preparatory Courses are short term (2 month) education programs for young rural women in the communities surrounding Dharamshala. The programs are designed to provide valuable English language, IT and cross-cultural communication skills, which will enable women to find local employment, apply for higher education programs or travel abroad.

There are two courses available. The first is a fundamental English and IT Preparatory Course for women with only basic knowledge in these areas. It is designed to improve the skills of local, rural women who aim to enter the Global Skills Program or find local employment but require intermediate skills. Scholarships are available for women from low income families.

The second course is for students with a higher level of English but who wish to improve their skills in order to apply for international visas, jobs and educational programs. Most international institutions require students to sit the IELTS exam so this course is aimed at preparing students for each of the components of the exam. It is included as part of the Global Skills Program and students are also able to take this course on its own.