Joining Hands

During the outreach for the Skill Enhancement program, Joining Hands identified challenges faced by meritorious less-privileged students aspiring for higher education but lacking financial resources. To address this, Joining Hands collaborates with Cadence Design Systems IPL to launch the Higher Education Scholarship Program. This initiative sponsors fees and associated expenses for professional courses such as engineering, medical, and hotel management, providing crucial support for less privileged students to pursue their educational aspirations.

Emphasizing holistic development, Joining Hands launched a three-month intensive training programme in New Delhi's Badarpur area. The curriculum focuses on fundamental skills like computer literacy, English proficiency, and life and soft skills. Augmented by industry professionals' guest lectures, the programme boasts an impressive 82% attendance and a mere 4% drop rate. Over 750 youth have undergone this training, with a commendable 70% securing placements in renowned organisations such as Costa Coffee, KFC, Pizza Hut, and more. With an average monthly income of Rs. 10,000, these individuals are now significant contributors to their families, both socially and financially, with some even supporting their siblings' education.

Addressing the employment gap in the thriving hospitality sector, Joining Hands, in collaboration with Le Meridian, New Delhi, conducts the Hospitality Skills Development program for less privileged girls. This fast-track module, focusing on hotel operations training, ensures these beneficiaries acquire the skills needed for suitable roles in the hospitality industry. Approximately 50 girls have undergone this training, boasting a commendable placement rate exceeding 70%. Many of them have secured positions in renowned establishments such as Nandos, Aloft Hospitality, Sevelte Hospitality, Rockland Inn, Le Meridien Gurgaon, Subway, Costa Coffee, Café Coffee Day, and KFC, contributing to their economic empowerment and professional growth.

Various events and workshops are organised for schoolchildren and youth to instill sensitivity and foster social consciousness. INCEPTUM, designed for school children, aims to raise awareness about environmental challenges. Theatre collaborations with renowned groups spread awareness about social issues in educational institutions. Additionally, capacity-building workshops cover diverse topics such as Sexual Harassment of Women at the Workplace (SHAWP), the Protection of Children from Sexual Offenses Act (POCSO), Gender Sensitization, NGO Accounting & Reporting, CSR alignment, People Management & Project Cycle, and NGO legal Framework & Requirements.

As per the 2011 census, 65% of India's 1.2 billion people are under 35, and by 2021, India is poised to be the youngest country with an estimated youth population of 464 million. However, a significant challenge facing India is employment generation. To leverage this demographic dividend, adequate skill development efforts are crucial for inclusion, productivity, and bridging the skill gap. Joining Hands conceptualized the 'Enhancing Employability' Programme to elevate the skills of less privileged youth, facilitating their employability in the organised sector.