Ever seen a child fix a broken fan at home? Or repair a bike with just a screwdriver? Now, imagine if that child actually got the right training, where could they be in life?
In many rural areas, kids don’t get that chance. They grow up helping their parents on farms, learning skills from observation, but never getting a proper education. It’s not because they don’t want to study, but because there’s nowhere to learn the skills that actually lead to jobs.
That’s exactly why Lok Panchayat’s Rural Technical Training Institute (RTTI) was started—to give practical, job-ready skills to students who wouldn’t otherwise have a chance. Today, hundreds of students have been trained and placed in companies, proving that education doesn’t just happen in classrooms; it happens in real-life learning too.
This is the story of how a small technical training institute in a remote village changed lives, won national awards, and doubled its students in just a year.
All thanks to skill-based education and a little support from Apni Pathshala.
A Vision That Started in the Middle of a Jungle
Lok Panchayat, a non-profit, was established in 1993, but it was in 2012 that the Rural Technical Training Institute (RTTI) came to life. Set up in a tribal area, surrounded by jungle, this institute was built to solve a real problem—farmers and their children had no access to education or technical knowledge.
In these communities, children would naturally follow their parents into farming, but without proper training, they struggled to use modern equipment. They had the potential but no resources to learn. That’s where RTTI stepped in.
With a focus on ITI (Industrial Training Institute) education, the institute started training students in skills that actually matter—electrician work, automobile knowledge, welding, fabrication, computer numerical control (CNC) machines, and more. Companies even started collaborating with them, recognizing the quality of training being provided.
But starting an institute in such a remote area wasn’t easy.
The Challenges: Distance, Trust, and Acceptance
Building a school is one thing. Convincing parents to send their kids there is another. And trust me, it was way harder than it seems.
When RTTI first started, it took one full year to convince families that this training could change their children’s future. By 2014, the institute was fully running, but another major challenge appeared—distance.
The institute was 40 km away from the nearest district. Parents were hesitant to send their children so far every day. Many simply couldn’t afford transportation. So, RTTI came up with a life-changing solution—a free hostel with food and accommodation. This helped students focus on learning without worrying about travel costs or daily commutes.
And the results? Life-changing.
Who knew the institute that began in the midst of a jungle, would go on to become the best rural ITI institute out there.
From Rural Students to Skilled Professionals
Today, 150–200 students are part of this best ITI institute, receiving hands-on training. But the best part? 100% job placements.
With government support and industry collaborations, the students at RTTI are not just learning—they’re securing real jobs. Some students even get paid during their training based on their performance, making education an opportunity, not a financial burden.
And recognition soon followed.
In 2022, RTTI won the National Award by the Bureau of Energy Conservation in Vigyan Bhavan, Delhi. Why? Because the institute runs on solar power and green energy, significantly reducing energy consumption. That’s not all—
- RTTI has received regional awards for being the best ITI institute.
- They participated in the National Water Award after planting 3,000 trees.
- Their efforts in skill development earned them an award for 100% placements.
But even with all these achievements, there was one major gap—technology.
Apni Pathshala’s Role: How 20 Computers Changed Everything
In rural areas, owning a computer is a luxury. Many students had never even touched one before coming to RTTI.
When Dr. Aniruddha Malpani, the Managing Director of Apni Pathshala, visited the institute, he realized that the existing computers were outdated, with no proper software for learning.
Apni Pathshala stepped in and sent 20 brand-new computers with updated software. The impact? The number of students doubled in just one year.
For students who had never imagined working with modern technology, this was a dream come true. Now, they could learn computer-based skills that made them even more employable.
What’s Next? The Future of RTTI
While the institute has come a long way, there are still challenges to tackle:
- Encouraging more girls to join technical fields: Many girls in the area don’t see technical education as an option. RTTI aims to change that.
- Launching new courses: The institute plans to introduce fashion designing and advanced computer courses.
- Training disabled students: RTTI is working on courses tailored for differently-abled students so that no one is left behind.
The journey isn’t over. But with the right support, opportunities, and training, RTTI will continue transforming lives—one student at a time.
Why Does This Story Matters?
This isn’t just about an institute, it’s about how skill-based education can change futures.
In rural areas, education isn’t just about learning math or science, it’s about learning skills that put food on the table. RTTI has proved that when education meets real-life skills, opportunities multiply.
And the best part? This is just the beginning.
With Apni Pathshala’s support, the impact is growing. More students are getting access to modern tools, better training, and real-world opportunities. But there’s still a long way to go. Many students, especially girls, need encouragement and access to technical education. More courses, more resources, and more hands-on training can bridge the gap between dreams and reality.
You can be a part of this transformation. Support Apni Pathshala today and help bring skill-based education to those who need it the most.
