2018
Program conceptualised
Home »
What We Do
Overview
At Pygmalion Foundation, we design and implement high-impact, scalable programs across education, vocational training, women empowerment, digital literacy and livelihoods. Our focus is on creating real opportunities that help individuals build skills, gain confidence and move forward in life.
All our initiatives are aligned with Schedule VII of the Companies Act, 2013 and are delivered through strong partnerships with universities, training institutes, government bodies and credible NGOs. By combining on-ground execution with structured monitoring, we ensure that every program leads to measurable and meaningful outcomes.
SWATI Program
Skilling Women And Transforming Industries
Our flagship initiative, the SWATI Program, operates on a profound belief: when you place the right tools in the hands of a young woman, you do not just build a career; you rewrite the destiny of her entire family. SWATI (स्वाति) symbolises the transformation of dew drops into pearls.
Through a combination of education and hands-on training, the program prepares women for real-world opportunities.
Vision of SWATI Program
Accelerating women’s participation in the industrial workforce
Equipping candidates with technical capabilities and modern infrastructure
Securing long-term careers that transform candidates into family breadwinners
Rewriting the narrative of gender roles
Why This Matters
India is at a unique moment in time. With nearly two-thirds of its population under the age of 35, it is one of the youngest nations in the world. At the same time, it is also one of the fastest-growing economies, with a strong push towards becoming a global manufacturing hub.
With global demand rising and India’s demographic advantage expected to last for decades, there is a clear opportunity to become a global talent hub.
However, this potential can only be realised by investing in skilling, vocational training and inclusive participation, especially for women.
India’s Growth Story
Key factors supporting India’s rise as the global manufacturing hub:
- Geopolitical realignments
- Government policy push
- Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme
- Massive Infrastructure push: roads, railways, industrial corridors, and logistics
- Favourable demography
- 80 million Indians (out of 1.4 billion) in the working age group of 15 - 59 years (Population of India 2023, Population Pyramid)
- Median age - 28 years (World Population Prospects, UN-DESA)
- Expanding domestic market
- Rising middle class
The demographic advantage is expected to last till 2055-56 (India’s Demography: Unity in Diversity, Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India), presenting a strong opportunity for the country to emerge as a global skill capital and talent hub.
The industrial sector already plays a significant role, contributing 27.6% to GDP, with manufacturing alone accounting for 14.2% and employing over 6.7 crore people. To fully realise the vision of Viksit Bharat @2047, a strong focus on skilling, vocational training and increasing women’s participation in the workforce will be essential.
The Gender Gap in Manufacturing
While female workforce participation in India has improved in recent years, there remains a visible gap in sectors such as manufacturing. Women currently make up a much smaller percentage of the workforce in this space and this gap has remained largely unchanged over time.
Addressing this is critical not just for gender equality, but for building a stronger and more inclusive economy. Creating opportunities for women in manufacturing can unlock new possibilities for individuals, families and communities.
Female Workers in Manufacturing (%)
Source: Periodic Labour Force Survey (22-23)
SWATI Program
The SWATI Program was conceptualised in 2018 with a clear vision to create opportunities for young women in manufacturing and technical roles. It was driven by the leadership and vision of industry leaders who believed in building a more inclusive workforce.
Since then, the program has steadily grown through partnerships with leading institutions and training centres, expanding both in scale and impact.
2019
Official launch with Engineering Cluster, Pune (6-month certification program)
2019
Expansion to Indo German Tool Room (Sambhaji Nagar) and Central Tool Room & Training Centre, Kolkata
2021
Partnership with Symbiosis Skills and Professional University (SSPU) for a 2-year diploma
2023
Launch of 3-year Diploma in Advanced Manufacturing Excellence (DAME) with SSPU Pune
2024
Program scaled with new partners - Greaves Cotton Limited, DBH Investment and Symbiosis University of Applied Sciences Indore
2025
SWATI Program expanded to Tamil Nadu in partnership with SASTRA University.
Theory of Change
To empower young women from underprivileged backgrounds through employment-linked vocational training, creating a pipeline of skilled female talent for the manufacturing sector and catalyzing a “ripple effect” of societal change
Inputs
(Funding, Labs, Partners)
Activities
(Funding, Labs, Partners)
Outputs
(Certified Female Technicians, Placements)
Outcomes
(Jobs, Income, Confidence, Family Upliftment)
Impact
(Jobs, Income, Confidence, Family Upliftment)
Impact
0
YOUTH
0
UNDER TRAINING
0
STATES
0
DISTRICS
0
ALUMNI
0
%
JOB PLACEMENT
0
ACADEMIC PARTNERS
Gallery
UDGAMA (meaning origin or new beginning in Sanskrit) is the annual convocation ceremony for SWATI candidates, marking their transition into the workforce.
Held on 9th October 2024 and 2025 for the DMA batches of 2022 and 2023, the event celebrated student achievements with the distribution of certificates and job offer letters. It was graced by Mr. Karan Thapar, Chairman, Pygmalion Foundation and Ms. Swati Mujumdar, Pro Chancellor, Symbiosis Skills & Professional University, Pune.
UDGAMA 2025
UDGAMA 2024
Board Members Visit
Board Members’ Visit to Symbiosis Skills & Professional University (SSPU) Pune:
Board Members of Pygmalion Foundation, Greaves Cotton Limited, and Premium Transmission Limited visited the SSPU campus, where they interacted with the SWATI candidates, who showcased their positivity, enthusiasm, and strong commitment to learning. The visit reflected the candidates’ keen interest in the program and their readiness for professional growth.
Robo Fare
Robo-fare (Pan-India Event)’ January 2026:
SWATI candidates proudly participated in the pan-India fest ‘Robo-fare’, where they designed and built two automated robots. Their journey reflected confidence, courage, creativity, and a strong spirit of innovation, showcasing their readiness to lead and excel in technology-driven careers organized by Symbiosis Skiils and professional unviesity at Pune On 24-26th January.
Industry Exposures
Premium Transmission Limited’August 2025:
SWATI candidates visited Premium Transmission Limited to understand end-to-end manufacturing processes, quality systems, safety protocols, and shop-floor discipline. The exposure strengthened their practical understanding of industry standards and workplace expectations.
Exposure Visit
Pimpri Chinchwad Science Park’s December 2025:
SWATI candidates enjoyed an interactive visit to the Pimpri Chinchwad Science Park, turning learning into an exciting experience. The outing sparked curiosity, exploration, and joyful discovery beyond the classroom.
Inspiring Stories
Training Partners
Symbiosis Skills & Professional University Pune
Symbiosis Skills & Professional University was established as Maharashtra’s first Skill Development University enacted through a bill passed by State Legislation on 3rd May 2017. The ‘State-of-Art’ campus constructed on 15 acres of land with specialized laboratories, workshops, and centers of excellence having specialized kill training equipment and machines. The objective of the University is to create ‘industry-ready’ youth who can be gainfully employed upon completion of their courses. For more details, here –
Courses offered :
India's #1 Skill University
#1 NIRF 2025 Skill University Rankings
Training Partners
Symbiosis University of Applied Sciences Indore
Symbiosis University of Applied Sciences (SUAS), Indore is a self-financed university, established under the Government of Madhya Pradesh Gazette (Extraordinary) No. 2 of 2016 dated 13 June 2016. SUAS is dedicated to empowering the youth with industry- ready knowledge, global exposure, and employability-driven skills, making them future-ready professionals.
Courses offered :
#2 NIRF 2025 Skill University Rankings
Training Partners
SASTRA University Thanjavur
SASTRA is one of the premier institutions offering undergraduate, postgraduate & doctoral programs in Engineering, Manufacturing and other streams.
