Transgenders have moved one step closer to be part of the upcoming Kochi Metro as 23 of them have successfully completed their skill training programme in Kochi on Thursday.
The month-long training equipped them in apprentice computer training, housekeeping, hospitality, front office management, counselling, fire and safety, security practices, basic English and soft skills.
The multiskill training for transgenders was a joint initiative of Kudumbashree Mission, Kochi city police commissioner, Kochi Metro and Rajagiri College of Social Science to rehabilitate and facilitate their entry into the mainstream .
“We took up the challenge to train them in skills that make them employable in various posts in Kochi Metro,” said Fr Paul Thomas, in-charge of centre for skill development, Rajagiri.
The TOI had in a series of reports last year exposed the plights of the transgender community in Kochi which was facing social discrimination . Taking note of the reports, KMRL came up with a proposal to provide them with jobs in customer relations, housekeeping and crowd management when it becomes operational. The Metro also offered to absorb them through Kudumbashree.
State finance minister Thomas Isaac also made special budgetary allocation for rehabilitation programmes of the transgender community. The police department too supported the initiative of KMRL.
The first meeting of the programme was held at the city police commissioner’s office on July 15 and Kudumbashree was assigned with the responsibility of facilitating the programme.
