Project Period: 2010-2011
Project Location: Himachal Pradesh
Direct Impact: 54 youth in 10 villages
The problem of unemployment is serious in the interior part of Himachal. Majority of the citizens spend most of their time in activities yielding low productivity and income. Majority of the youth are unemployable due to lack of suitable training and experience. The objectives are to skill, train and employ youths for suitable professions and give them experience, so that when the project begins, they can come back to their local environment with gainful employment. In keeping with the above principle, a Skilling Rural India and Employability programme was launched in partner- ship with Dr. Reddy’s Foundation.
The programme included the following stepwise approach:
Step 1 – Candidate Scan: 250 youths from the local area were enlisted in the target group for the proposed Skill Development Programme.
Step 2 – Market Scan: 244 establishments were surveyed in five towns, namely Shimla, Baddi, Mandi-Sundernagar, Bilaspur, and Solan. The identified jobs were in sectors of automobile, hospitality, multi-skill technicians, nursing assistant, sales and marketing, factory and stores helper, machine operators, supervisors, security guards, accountants, construction, etc.
Step 3 – Counseling: Approximately 105 candidates were counseled to better understand issues related to family background, migration, inclination of candidate, willingness to relocate for training and jobs.
Step 4 – Training and Placement: The first batch of 54 identified youths were imparted 3 months trainings in customer sales, hospitality, multi-skill technician and bed side patient attendants. Of these, 49 youths have been placed with renowned business establishments in and around Shimla and Chandigarh.
