HAMIRPUR: India is on track to becoming the world’s fastest growing economy and the youth are the protagonists of its economic growth story. With the objective of playing a role in upskilling and building a future ready talent force, Vodafone Idea Foundation, the CSR arm of Vi, set-up a skill training centre in Hamirpur that offers dedicated employment linked skill training to socially and economically challenged youth within their vicinity.The centre was formally inaugurated by Sh. Anurag Singh Thakur, Hon’ble Minister of Information & Broadcasting and Youth Affairs & Sports, Government of India,in the presence of P Balaji, Chief Regulatory & Corporate Affairs Officer, VIL, Director, Vodafone Idea Foundation, who also honoured some of the initial ‘graduates’ of the programme with certificates.On this occasion, Union Minister Anurag Thakur also flagged-off Vodafone Idea Foundation’s ‘JaaduGinniKa’ mobile van, to take the Government of India’ digital literacy movement another step forward.
Anurag Singh Thakur, Hon’ble Minister for Information & Broadcasting and Youth Affairs & Sports, Government of India said, “At a time when we are advancing towards building a new India, preparing the youth to be part of a skilled workforce and aiding their economic and personal empowerment is of utmost importance. It is for us to ensure that ample growth opportunities are provided to the youth. In the last eight years we’ve undertaken various initiatives aimed at upskilling, providing financial credit, and laying the foundation for India to emerge as the world's largest skilled workforce. Today’s initiative is another step in that direction and I am happy to see participation from leading corporates like Vodafone Idea that have come forward to provide skill training to the youth and empower local talent.” In partnership with Sambhav Foundation, Vodafone Idea Foundation’s skill training centre, established in Samirpur, is equipped with computers and a retail lab for practical implementation of theoretical knowledge. The centre will provide the youth with local and relevant employment-linked skill training in disciplines such as IT, ITES, and Retail. As part of the curriculum, students will also be provided with face-to-face counselling, and formative and summative assessments.
P. Balaji, Chief Regulatory & Corporate Affairs Officer, VIL, Director, Vodafone Idea Foundation, said, “India has one of the youngest populations in the world. The vision of a new India requires skills, new learning’s and opportunities for sustained employment for the youth, especially at the grassroots. Our skill training project demonstrates a ready model that addresses the entire skills to employment cycle end-to-end, is local, low cost, and easily scalable. Similarly, to bring financial literacy awareness and drive financial inclusion in the country, our ‘JaaduGinniKa’ initiative aims to provide a comprehensive financial literacy development programme. We thank Union Minister Shri Anurag Thakur for his guidance, and the district officials for their cooperation and support on both these initiatives.”