Indian Women Double Their Presence In Online Skill Development

New Delhi, 28th February 2024: In a groundbreaking report by Internshala Trainings, a spotlight has been cast on the remarkable surge in women's participation in online skill development courses. Over the last five years, there has been a noteworthy 101% increase in female enrollments for online certification courses, highlighting the growing enthusiasm and determination among women across India to upskill in the face of a fast-evolving digital landscape. In the latest year analyzed, women accounted for 42.6% of all skill training enrollments.

The report showcases a wide array of preferred skills, with web development, digital marketing, and Advanced Excel leading the pack. These courses constituted 14%, 11%, and 7% of the total enrollments respectively, in the last year. Furthermore, there's a visible interest in diverse areas such as Programming with Python, General Aptitude, Financial Modeling and Valuation, Data Science, Human Resource Management, Machine Learning, and UI/UX Design. This variety points towards a broadening in the spectrum of skills that female learners are eager to acquire.

Motivations Behind the Surge

An in-depth analysis into the motivations driving women to pursue online courses uncovers that 52% aim to boost their employability, seeking internships or job opportunities. Meanwhile, 32% are driven by the desire to stay updated with industry trends and acquire new skills. A smaller, yet significant, 9% enroll with the goal of earning certifications to validate their skills in a competitive job market.

Geographical Spread and Seasonal Trends

The geographical distribution of women participants is also noteworthy. While tier-1 cities like Delhi-NCR, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Bangalore, Pune, Kolkata, and Chennai lead in enrollments, an impressive 59% of female learners come from tier-2 and tier-3 cities. This underscores the role of online learning in democratizing access to education and skill development across different parts of the country.

The report further highlights that enrollments peak during the summer months of May, June, and July, showing a proactive approach among women to utilize their leisure time for personal and professional development. The completion rate of online trainings among women stands at 50.4%, with an average daily engagement of 43 minutes on e-learning platforms.

A Word from the CEO

Sarvesh Agrawal, the founder and CEO of Internshala Trainings, commented on the findings, "The significant increase in women pursuing online certification courses proves their unwavering commitment to personal and professional growth. Women are actively recognising the value of lifelong learning to keep up with the rapidly advancing industry demands. It is inspiring to witness their determination to acquire new skills and adapt to the technological advancements and evolution of work-specific skills."

This study not only sheds light on the growing trend of online education among women but also underscores the shifting dynamics in skill acquisition and professional development. It marks a promising step towards closing the gender gap in education and employment, empowering women to meet the challenges of the modern workforce head-on.