Mittal Vasava, age 20, was living in rural Gujarat when she learned from a friend about Yuva Junction. Mittal’s family belongs to India’s semi-nomadic “scheduled tribes,” among the country’s most marginalized groups. With no business connections and no high school education, Mittal had dim prospects for a 21st-century job. But she was eager to learn and try.

In India, over half of the country’s population is under age 25 and faces high unemployment. Job prospects among rural youth—like Mittal—are especially limited. According to the World Bank, over half of India’s secondary school students lack the basic digital skills needed for 21st-century work. Even worse, opportunities to gain skills to prepare for jobs beyond traditional farming are slim.

Every day Mittal made the half-hour trip to the training center in the nearby town of Dediapada. For Mittal, who had never used a computer before, the lessons were challenging at first. “I was hesitant and scared,” she said. “I thought I wouldn’t be able to learn. But my friends encouraged me.” With the course, she became more comfortable using a computer and developed both her skills and her confidence. The best part was the life skills classes. “They taught me how to interact with customers,” she says, as well as how to deal with city life elements like commuting and apartment rental.

Mittal’s instructors understood her because they had once been in her shoes. They had come from small villages and struggled to find work. Now, as teachers, they helped her learn and get excited for her future. One instructor named Kusum had her own tale of a first job’s broken promises and lacking the skills for navigating the work world before participating in Yuva Junction. The experience showed her the value of Yuva Junction–style training and support. Kusum took interest in Mittal’s growth and her plan to get a job in the city. After finishing the course, Mittal had help from Yuva Junction to find work.

Mittal’s parents remained supportive. Her mother reassured her in phone calls while she adjusted to the bustle of city life. “I’d tell her, ‘You can stay a bit more there, try doing the job.’”

Mittal’s starting salary allowed her to save and even helped her buy a scooter that her brother used in his work. “I bought the scooter for the family,” she says proudly.