CB BureauIndustrial and automotive supplier Schaeffler India has signed an MoU with Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS) to implement a project aimed at providing skills training to 350 graduating students from Vadodara. The objective of the programme, which is fully funded by Schaeffler India, is to provide skills training to graduating college students to enable them to better understand and enhance their job-related skills.
The initiative covers training in eight diploma courses – banking & financial markets, export & import management, hospital management services, entrepreneurship, digital marketing, travel and tourism, pharmaceutical sales management, and retail management. Selected students will receive classroom training for around four to six months at the Schaeffler HOPE NUSSD Training Centres established in three colleges in Vadodara, and thereafter will be sent to relevant industries for internships or on-the-job-training for 40 days. The curriculum aims to empower 300 students through wage employment and remaining 50 students through startup community/entrepreneurship development.
On CauseBecause’s query on tie-ups with companies for absorbing the trained individuals, the spokesperson informs that TISS, in its capacity as implementation partner for the programme, will be responsible for placements and internships. The programme is aligned with National University Students’ Skill Development Programme (NUSSD), a flagship initiative by TISS launched in 2013 to provide job-related skill training to college students for employability.
Speaking about the programme, Santanu Ghoshal, vice president human resources & head corporate social responsibility, Schaeffler India, explains, ‘For Schaeffler, skilling is not only valuable, but a viable and long-term plan. We sincerely believe that the youth are agents of social and economic transformation. Hence, programmes like these are in line with Schaeffler India’s CSR initiative HOPE, and our vision of building a nation that is self-sustaining and prosperous by creating a pool of equal opportunities for the youth. It is often noticed that graduates continue to be weak in vocational and applied skills even after they acquire degrees. Such courses impart skills that make them industry-ready and employable. We have been deeply invested in creating opportunities for the youth which will help them secure gainful and skilled employment now and in the future. Our collaboration with TISS is another powerful step in this direction, enabling students to gain relevant and sustainable employment skills.’
Schaeffler will fund the programme at a cost of approximately Rs 40 lakh per annum. The course curriculum has been designed to impart knowledge and skills through new-edge teaching and learning techniques as well as realistic job experience with the help of internships and community projects. The curriculum also focuses on helping students acquire a sense of civic responsibility through its community engagement aspect.