CB BureauLeading petrochemical company SABIC has entered into a partnership with Central Institute of Plastics Engineering & Technology (CIPET), under the department of chemicals and petrochemicals, ministry of chemicals and fertilizers, with the aim of developing capacity in the plastics processing industry in India.
The company’s media release states that as part an agreement a six-month fully-residential skill-development programme for 50 unemployed youth from less-privileged backgrounds was launched in January. The programme includes full scholarship to the participating students, covering their course fee and boarding and lodging costs. This collaboration is a part of SABIC’s corporate social responsibility (CSR) commitment to create value across economic, social and environmental dimensions.
These 50 students from less-privileged backgrounds were selected through a screening process undertaken by CIPET independently. They will be provided training under a curriculum developed by CIPET, with inputs from SABIC. Upon successful completion of the course, the students will be certified by CIPET and SABIC.
Announcing the programme, Janardhanan Ramanujalu, vice president, SABIC South Asia & ANZ, said, ‘SABIC is encouraged by the Government of India’s thrust on building India as a global manufacturing hub under its “Make in India†initiative. Given the wide-ranging application of plastics, the plastics processing industry can play a pivotal role in supporting the growth of the manufacturing sector. However, currently there is a huge gap between the supply and demand for trained manpower in this field. Our partnership with CIPET is a small but significant step in trying to create an enduring framework for developing vocationally-trained frontline workers for the plastics manufacturing industry in India.’
S Sugumar, deputy director and head – HLC, CIPET, said, ‘IPET seeks to equip people with the latest advances in skill development in the plastics industry. Such industry collaborations enable us to address the need for employment-ready manpower.’ SABIC’s CSR policy in India includes promotion of education as one of the key areas, with special attention to less-privileged children and youth.
Other SABIC CSR activities in the area of education include restoration and reconstruction of three schools in Vadodara, a programme to raise awareness among school students on the importance of water conservation and the role of chemicals in this process, and support for an eye-care camp covering nearly 20,000 less-privileged students in Delhi/NCR government schools to facilitate their education.