EMPOWER & IGNITE THE YOUTH FOR A BETTER NATION

In order to bring in greater social inclusivity and economic empowerment, the Karigari program was implemented to ensure that underprivileged women, youth from rural and semi-urban areas gained access to skill training. Increasing the number of skilled women & youth from marginalized communities empowers them economically and leads to the socio-economic upliftment of their families, communities and the country at large.

Program Karigari believes that women & youth are the torch- bearers of the sustainable development process and their potential as agents of change needs to be harnessed. The program is classified into two distinct skill development segments on the basis of targeted employability enhancement objectives – Grassroot Skill Development and Digital Skill Development.

Literacy India has been advocating technology-aided education and enhancing digital skills for over two decades. In sync with the fourth revolution and the futuristic metaverse. Literacy India has pioneered the delivery of IT-related courses ‘future skills training. The nature of jobs is changing, and so are the desired education and skills; evident from the change in school curricula as directed under the latest Education Policy by the Government of India.

Literacy India’s IT Basic to Advance Level Future Skill Project builds technical competencies that go beyond the scope of the curriculum and expose learners to the tremendous possibilities of technology. Students are engaged in fun, challenging experiments, and completing projects that provide them the opportunity to explore their critical thinking and problem-solving skills. As first-generation learners exposed to technology-driven employment skills, the students show great enthusiasm and confidence for aspirational jobs and are keen to continue with their technical education.

Karigari Program helps to improve the status of Women / Youth in the society by providing them with livelihood opportunities through vocational training in the areas based on beneficiaries’ preferences and aptitude.

• Computer literacy offered at our centres allows beneficiaries to build careers in IT related fields like BPO Centres, Data Processing Units and lately in Common Service Centres (CSC) etc. especially in the rural areas of West Bengal, Jharkhand, Rajasthan and Haryana, hence creating micro entrepreneurs.
• Stitching, Embroidery, Beauty Culture, Block Printing, Tie & Die, electrical Training, Mobile Repairing & Computer Hardware etc enabling beneficiaries to get employment in the garment industry or set up their own stitching and tailoring units.
• Vocational training in driving encourages beneficiaries to build careers as automobile drivers in the transport and travel industry or seek self-employment as professional drivers.
• Community based skills like kitchen-gardening, and organic farming empowering people to sustain themselves in their community.
• Future Skill Training in Digital Marketing, Web Development, Coding/Scratch and Python courses for tech-enabled courses.

 The opportunities were created in the following manner: 

• Step 1: Conducted survey of the area and identified the beneficiaries,
• Step 2: Assess need for the skills/ trainings that would benefit them the most,
• Step 3: Set up and installation of equipment and machines,
• Step 4: Invited beneficiaries for an orientation session,
• Step 5: Provided regular training till completion of the program as per the course module,
• Step 6: Conducted workshop on business development and motivation,
• Step 7: Extended support to set up enterprise and provide ongoing support to sustain the business,
• Step 8 Organised Career Orientation Session and assistance for Job placement.

 Stories of Change

Vakil, 21 years, Purulia

Vakil ( Name Changed) from Gopalganj, Neturia, Purulia had a difficult time when his father lost his job during the COVID-19 induced lockdown. Vakil ( Name Changed) , was in XII standard and had to leave studies and return home to support his family. With six family members, Vakil was anxious about making ends meet. He decided to open a grocery shop in the village, but that was not enough. Fortunately, Vakil came to know about Literacy India’s learning centre. He displayed interest in the computer application course and joined the computer training course. He worked assiduously and completed the course with Grade-A marks. He took up small project work to gain experience and improved upon his typing skills.

Vakil was still not able to ameliorate the financial woes of his family. He noticed that one of his friends was running a successful Internet-Café and decided to do the same in his own locality. He opened a small Internet-Café in the house and started taking orders for data entry work. Soon he partnered with someone and secured a CSC-ID and started doing work of making Unique IDs, PAN cards and online rail ticketing etc. In a span of six months, he was able to purchase a second-hand bike and comfortably take care of his family.

Vakil's story is a testament that vocational trainings can help transform life and provide sustainable livelihood opportunities. He was able to utilise his skills and create his own micro-business enterprise for a secured future.

Links:

• Digital Republic | Future Skill |Youth