Employability Programme for youth in slums

Employability Programme for Youth in Slums:

Unemployment is one of the major problems faced by youth in India. Saath noticed that there are many youngsters in Gujarat who have dropped out of schools to earn livelihood. But they don’t have enough skills, so to get the solution for this issue Saath started employability programs, not only in Gujarat but also in Rajasthan. 

Objectives of the Programme:

1. To train disadvantaged youth, aged 18-30 years, between 180 - 300 hours and ensure they are placed and try to support of them in relevant jobs with assurance of minimum wages and opportunity for career advancement
2. To introduce minimum three innovations that would directly impact retention, skill enhancement, and program sustainability

Report Duration: July 2015 – September 2015

Work done 

• Total Trained: 407

 Introduction about Programs:

 The sector has been divided into formal and non-formal trainings:

1. Formal training program: Udaan
2. Informal training program: Nirman

Udaan:

Udaan program provides livelihood training to youth from vulnerable backgrounds and give them an equal opportunity to employability. The courses selected for the programs are also a result of market research and need assessment program from the community itself. The courses that are currently offered in this program are as follows:

• Bed Side Patient Assistant (BSPA)
• Beauty Parlour
• Information Technology Enabled Services (ITES)
• Computer Hardware
• Retail Management
• Tally
• Career and Workplace Skills

The entire above mentioned program is for entry level jobs. Placement assistance is also provided to the trainees.

Nirman:

Nirman program addresses the training needs of people in the informal sector. Practical and theoretical training is provided which moulds their skills and capabilities to get better incomes. The courses that are currently offered in this program are as follows:

• Plumbing
• Electrician
• Carpentry
• Masonry
• Mobile Repairing
• Sew machine Repairing
• Women Drivers

Success Story: Deepali – Driver’s Dream                                

A determined young lady from Ahmedabad, Deepali has exceeded her life expectations in becoming a professional driver. Deepali’s father is also a driver, while her mother is working at a tea stall. When she was 16 years old, she suddenly got married and was forced to discontinue her studies before 9th class.

Deepali was neither mentally or physically prepared when her parents arranged her married. Her in-laws abused her continuously in dowry related issues, causing a lot of stress and anxiety on her married life. She came home after one month of marriage but her parent’s would not allow her to leave, and insisted that she follow the traditions and keep society happy. She was forced to accept her faith and subsequently had two children within two years. Adding to her problems, her husband soon left his job and went away from home. In order to pay for food and rent,Deepali had no choice but to get a job in a hospital as a sweeper. She later learned how to do stitching and working at that for several years.

One day she found out about Azad through her friend’s mother, an NGO worker (SAATH). She suddenly felt excited and decided to become a professional driver in the hope of sending her children to school. Deepali worked hard on being a confident driver and speaker. She cried with happiness the moment she received her permanent licence! She says that she can’t wait to show people that women can also be drivers. Deepali’s newest dream is to the first lady bus driver in Ahmedabad.

July'15 to September' 15 status

Month                        Enrolled                    Trained

                        Male  Female  Total     Male  Female  Total

July' 15              21       85       106       43     106         149

August' 15         19       50         69       11       92         103

September' 15   42      143       185       40     115         155

Total                82      278       360       94     313         407

Batches completed (no. of batches carried out)

                    Jul.15      Aug.15     Sep.15     Total

Udaan              7            6              8             21

Total               7            6              8             21

Innovations of the program:

• Index for trainees has developed to measure the real life impact of the trainings on trainees as an individual and a group. It shows the success of the program. The Index serves as a complete monitoring tool.

• New trades has been introduced like painting, mobile repairing, sew machine repairing

• Special Women batches have been started in non-traditional trade like electrician, masonry, sew machine repairing, women driving.

• Career counselling is provided to the participants of the programs.

• Financial literacy and safety training is provided to the participants.

• “Saath Service Point” Mobile application has been developed to serve as a database for the clients who are in need of services like: Masonry, Plumbing, Electrician, and Carpentry.

• YEP Progress Report July-Sept'15 (PDF)