Skilling underserved Youth for Livelihoods

Since this our new project, we would like to begin with a brief background of the programme. It was found that here is a growing demand for Information Technology and vocational training among the poor urban and rural communities including communities around our Udayan homes. We have also found the use of computer and IT vitally important in our counseling programme for the children of Udayan Homes.

Thus, we instigated this project focusing on the mixed communities; communities who are located around our Udayan Homes and those in the densely populated clusters of slums, resettlement colonies and other low income settlements by setting up IT & VT centers for imparting Information Technology and vocational skills training.

With a vision to broaden horizons and bring IT close to the lives of underserved rural and urban communities in Delhi and NCR, and thus empower them for greater job prospects, we targeted Poor urban/ slum communities, especially women, adolescent, children of Delhi  and NCR

Following are few aspects that make our programme unique

• Selection and enrollment of trainees on subsidized fees and free ships
• Capacity building of trainers and program staff
• Community Mobilization through co-curricular activities
• Documentation and periodic program reviews
• Trainee assessment procedures and certification
• Job placement facilitation
• Timely reporting to donors
• Partnerships and linkages with other organization

During the period of reporting our children participated in many capacity building and confidence building workshops, a contributed in the social cause by collecting Flood Relief Fund collected for Uttarakhand. They have also participated in the Microsoft Innovate for Good Summit organised by Microsoft on 25th & 26th April 2013 in India. We have got the opportunity to tie up with joining hands for enhancing the employment opportunities

The impact of the programme is both direct and indirect to the target group. On the tangible lines, the basic and advanced computer courses are adding on to both knowledge and skills of the young students. Interacting with each other, the students become better aware and explore different career opportunities. Thus enhancing the livelihood options available to these students and giving them an advantage in the job market. Spoken English and life skills training are also a part of the curriculum to make students job ready.

Looking at it on indirect lines, there is increase in the confidence level of the students who step out of the school academics attending the center and broaden their horizon. The students are ready to compete in the job market and stand equipped to face the career challenges. A sense of dignified independence touches them with the completion of the course. The students of different ages, gender and economic backgrounds make the learning experience more diverse and rich. Year on year the centers produce equipped more aware and optimistic students. It goes without saying that the IT&VT centers have equipped students across Delhi & NCR with the dignity of self reliance.

Following are few the achievements of the programme

• In 2013-14, we have successfully enrolled 941 students across the all the centers, out of total enrollments 538 male and 403 females.
• Out of 941 students, 415 certified in various courses and 96 were place.
• The programme expanded into new territories like Dadri (U.P) and initial planning is done to set up another centre in Uttar Kashi, Uttarakhand.
• Students were placed in companies like, Reliance, domestic call centers, BPO’s and some of them started their own business.  
• Reaching out the marginalized community at their door step is another milestone of the programme and the number of beneficiaries is increasing in every session.
• Tie up with local Community Based Organizations provided a platform for long term sustainability.

  Sucess Story - Miracle of Hope    

“Today me and my family are living in society with pride”- Shalini, Kishwarna-Udayan Care IT&VT Centre, Badarpur.

Shalini , just 18, belonged to a family of six members. Her father being a daily wage earner  making ends meet was a struggle. Shalini, had no choice but to look for  work after Class XII. However, lacking technical skills she was unable to find a suitable job.

Shalini saw a ray of hope when her friends told her about the subsidized courses offered by the Kishwarna Udayan Care IT&VT Centre in Badarpur where she enrolled for the Advance Diploma in Computer Application and the Spoken English courses.

Almost soon after completing the course, Shalini was offered a job through our placement cell at Family India Foundation as a computer teacher helping her to support her family and work towards her higher education.

Links:

• Udayan Care Information Technology and Vocational Training Centr