Strengthening Pathways to Livelihood: Reflecting on the collaboration with Niiti Consulting

By Sanjay Chittora, Director, STEP Academy, Aajeevika Bureau

At STEP Academy — the skilling initiative of Aajeevika Bureau — we’ve always believed that real impact happens when training goes beyond classrooms and connects deeply with people’s everyday realities.

One of our flagship efforts is the On-the-Job Training (OJT) programme. It’s a simple but powerful idea — train unskilled workers right where the work happens, so learning is practical, relevant, and immediately useful. In 2021–22, we had the chance to partner with Niiti Consulting to take a closer look at how well this model was working.

That study turned out to be so much more than just an evaluation — it gave us fresh eyes, valuable insights, and gentle nudges to improve. The findings spoke for themselves: over 90% of our trainees saw wage hikes within four to six months, and almost all found jobs beyond their training sites. It was proof that when training is rooted in real work, it sticks — and travels with the worker wherever they go.

These findings reinforce the Academy’s belief that skill development must be practical, accessible, and deeply rooted in the lived realities of workers. Migrant workers, often trapped in cycles of informal employment, are not only skilled through this model but also equipped with life skills, labour rights awareness, and financial tools that enhance their long-term employability and confidence.

Niiti’s thoughtful approach — from surveys to in-depth conversations — helped us see what was working and what needed more attention. For instance, the study reminded us how much more we need to do to bring more women into these opportunities. That push led us to rework our mobilisation and introduce women-friendly trades.

A special mention must be made of Ms. Meena Vaidyanathan, of Niiti Consulting, whose continued presence on the Advisory Board of STEP Academy Trust has been invaluable. Her mentorship in framing the Solo Entrepreneurship vision for STEP graduates has opened new avenues for us to explore enterprise-led skill development. Her guidance has strengthened our intent to embed entrepreneurial thinking into training curricula and leverage financial tools like Shram Sarathi’s Vriddhi Loan for start-ups by our alumni.

Our collaboration with Niiti reaffirms the importance of evidence-based learning and partnerships that extend beyond evaluation. Together, we have not only documented impact but also co-imagined the future possibilities for STEP Academy. As we look ahead, our shared goal remains—to equip every unskilled worker with the tools, confidence, and recognition they need to shape their own economic futures with dignity.