Skill Bharath- Livelihoods And Skill Development Project

BACKGROUND AND CONTEXT:

In the wake of the Covid-19 Pandemic in the month of January 2020 it is very obvious to pronounce that the year 2020 has been one of the most bizarre and catastrophic years in the history of mankind. It had severely affected the way we live and breathe hereafter. Life will never be the same again Post Covid-19. The worst hit are the economies world over. The economic fall out of this dreadful Covid-19 Virus is disastrous to say the least, No one has ever predicted the scale and magnitude of the monumental human and economic loss and negative impact of the Corona induced National Lock downs observed globally. Job loss is the most severe immediate impact of COVID-19 crisis while lower economic growth and rise in inequality would be the long-term effects, according to a survey by the Indian Society of Labour Economics (ISLE). The online survey was conducted on 520 ISLE members in the last week of May.

The preliminary results showed that loss of employment was considered as the most severe immediate impact of the crisis while lower economic growth and rise in inequality were probable long-term.

As per the survey, the immediate policy priorities suggested were protection of workers and families, short-term employment creation and income transfers to affected workers-Economic Times,11 July 2020.

The immediate and pressing task on hand for our nation is short term job creation. This has been necessitated not just by job losses but also displacement of work force on account of migrants leaving their jobs and migrating back to their home states.

The urgency of the situation is is further reinforced by the fact that even before the arrival of Covid-19 Pandemic number of job seekers registered with employment exchanges in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana are 31 lakh of which a dismal 57 per cent (18 lakh) do not have any skills.

There is a common misconception that unemployment rates can be attributed only to the lack of employment opportunities. While it remains a primary cause, ‘Lack of Skill’ among educated and uneducated youth is also seen as a daunting problem in our economy. It is further worsened by an educational environment that focuses more on development with regard to academic prowess rather than on honing specific skills in students. In order to address the lack of skill the following points needs to be taken into consideration.

Of the current work force in these states it is estimated that 86% of the total work force remains unskilled. According to this NSDC Report during the period of 2012-22 the incremental demand supply gap of manpower in across all sectors is expected to be 36.7 laks with excess of demand for skilled and semi-skilled work force and excess supply of minimally skilled work force.

Skills and knowledge are the driving forces of economic growth and social development of any country. The economy becomes more productive, innovative and competitive through the existence of more skilled human potential. The level of employment, its composition and the growth in employment opportunities are the critical indicators of the process of development in any economy. Increasing pace of globalization and technological changes provide both challenges and growing opportunities for economic expansion and job creation. In taking advantage of these opportunities as well as in minimizing the social costs and dislocation, which the transition to a more open economy entails, the level and quality of skills that a nation possess are becoming critical factors. Countries with higher and better levels of skills adjust more effectively to the challenges and opportunities of globalization.

CHORD’s Intervention in the Skill Development sector and Mandate FY 2020-21

In the last Ten years despite overwhelming odds of serving at the grassroots and crippling daily setbacks and challenges CHORD had trained and provided sustainable livelihood opportunity over 7000 young people in the short-term employable trades it had mastered over the years.Having gained invaluable expertise over the years and having put together a committed work force and decent network at the grassroots CHORD proposes to train another 500 unemployed youth/displaced/migrants in the year 2020-21 with same commitment and dedication with the sole aim of nudging disadvantaged communities towards progress and prosperity

500 Youth will be trained in skills and placed in Telangana and AP state under this project

ACTION PLAN:Our immediate and pressing task on hand is Developing job worthiness among unemployed youth rendered job less by the Lock downs/Covid-19 victims.Creating free access to employable skill training in job oriented courses for those without any skill is vital to our mission.Ensuring long term employment for vulnerable women and men through skill based training and counselling are fundamental objectives of this project.Providing Skill centers as a potential employment opportunity and creating awareness about the relevance of skill training in current job environment are critical to our effort.The following activities will be carried out meticulously by by our team in fulfilling the objectives of this mission.

SURVEY AND ENROLLMENT:

•       Surveying the target area (slums and villages) for identifying jobless migrants and youth who are unemployed.

•       Identifying and enrolling youth from among the survey list.

•       Counsel the youth and community on the merits of skill training.

•       To complete admission process as per CHORD norms.

•       Provide all physical infrastructure facilities required and to ensure that the target of the program is achieved.

HIRING TRAINERS AND DESIGNING CURRICULUM:

•       Obtain regular curriculum and customize it with a vibrant and simple complementary addition to create efficient and interactive training programs.

•       Recruit experienced personnel with skill and expertise (Trained staff, trained Lecturers, resource people to support and counsel students).

•       Prepare time tables, class schedules, exam and practical schedules.

•       Review the academic and practical performance quarterly.

MONITORING AND REVIEW:

•       Ensure systems and processes are in place for optimal utilization of resources in achieving the desired results.

•       Ensure smooth flow of the college as per the institute norms and ensure good attendance of the students.

•       To conduct periodical exams, practicals and unit tests to enhance the learning ability of the students from time to time.

PLACEMENTS AND EXPOSURE TO PROFESSIONAL FIELD:

•       Networking: Identify suitable neighborhood colleges for exchange programs and Goodwill/educational tours for exposure

•       Documentation and Research.

•       Assimilate information to the media on the positive developments.

•       Arrange placement facilities in consultation with the concerned industry.

Plan ahead for the next academic year to scale the operations as per the market needs.

The target group will be trained in the following trades

Vulnerable youth (men and women) from Below Poverty Line families in the age group of 18-35 enrolled from slums and poor neighborhood slums/villages. Trade-wise strength of the youth trained is as follows

1. Tailoring (Textile Designing/Embroidery & Zig-Zag) : 250
2. Motor Driving : 100
3. Computers : 50
4. Retail Marketing : 50
5. Security Guard : 50

Total : 500

Areas of operations:

1.CHORD-Skill Bharath Training Center- ShakthiEnclave, BollaramVillage,JinnaramMandal,Ranga Reddy District, Telangana

2. CHORD-Skill Bharath Training Center-BalaiahNagar,KukatpallyQuthubullapur,Rangareddy District Hyderabad,Telangana

3. CHORD-Skill Bharath Training Center- Bachupally,Medchal District Hyderabad-500049,Telangana

4.CHORD-Skill Bharath Training Center-NTR Nagar, KukatpallyQuthubullapur ,Rangareddy District ,Hyderabad,Telangana

5. CHORD-Skill Bharath Training Center- Kandhi Village Sanga Reddy District Hyderabad,Telangana

6. CHORD-Skill Bharath Training Center- Ramarajulanka,Mallikipuram,East Godavari District,Andhra Pradesh

7.CHORD-Skill Bharath Training Center- Narsapuram,West Godavari District,Andhra Pradesh

Measurable Qualitative and Quantitative Indicators ( Outputs)

Qualitative:

To give a dignified future to this vulnerable section of the society by giving them a realistic skill training that imparts them technical education and job proficiency that guarantees a livelihood opportunity. The program will have an impact on the following stake holders:

Dependents of the Beneficiaries: The project will surely impact the families of the beneficiaries motivating them to contribute to the change in their social and economic status.

Targeted community: The beneficiaries will serve as role models for other community members to follow.

Peer group: The program is sure to create dialogue among peer groups regarding the advantages of skill training thereby providing positive encouragement and motivation to those youths who are on the verge of dropping out.

 Program emulating: Best practices can be replicated by other NGOs to educate rural Youth.

 Quantitative:

Typically, our trainees have so far found employment in the following manner

1.Computer trainees: Found jobs as data entry operators and Tele-calling executives

2.Driving: Trainees have found jobs as Cab drivers/School Bus Drivers/Water Tankers/Private Drivers etc

3. Tailoring: Found jobs in Apparel park and Jobs in SPRIHA (our Social enterprise) and many have become entrepreneurs

4.Retail Marketing : Have found jobs in local Malls and Shopping complexes

5.Security Guards :Will have found jobs in Malls/Shops/Residential complexes etc.

Since there are many such success stories based on our experience we can commit with some degree of confidence to the following percentage of placement or entrepreneurial opportunities

CHORD’s experience in working with communities in dismal conditions, mobilizing beneficiaries and ground staff and achieving targeted numbers is monumental evidence of our prowess in conducting skill training programs.

The following aspects that speak of C’s earned advantages are factors that ensure a guaranteed impact:

• CHORD’s impeccable work with skill training over the last six years is testament to the organization’s sincere quest toward enabling Indian youth toward sustained growth.
• Our well-established alliances and civil society network continue to support us aiding and helping us overcome local challenges.
• Our child centric development model helps us connect better with the families and increases our personal outreach in the communities.
• Multi stakeholder partnership employed by CHORD yields the desired holistic outcome.
• Our supportive infrastructure and timely completion of projects helps instil unceasing faith of the donors.
• Well documented donor involvement in the progress of the program motivates the donor and his beneficiary toward more growth.
• Manpower resources employed carry many years of knowledge and expertise.

INDICATORS:                                                               

• At least 95% of the enrolled 500 students to complete the course
• At least 70% of the 500 students to be placed in jobs or start their own enterprises
• At least 10% of the trainees to become entrepreneurs
• No. of youth finding employment as a result of the skill training is ideal to gauge the outreach and impact of the program.

              Producing ----skilled and job ready young men/women will be the key aim of this exercise.