New Delhi, Aug 8, 2024: Canon India on Thursday announced the opening of two new Skill Centres in Kapashera, Delhi, and Andheri East, Mumbai as part of its Skill Development & Livelihood Program to uplift youth aged 18-25 years, living in urban slums by providing them with essential life and employability skills, preparing them for seamless placement in customer-centric, grey-collar jobs, ensuring a pathway to stable and meaningful employment.
Aiming to reach over 2,500 individuals in a period of five years, the program targets youth from Below Poverty Line (BPL) who are currently not in education, employment, or training (NEET). Participants will gain crucial skills in high-demand sectors such as BFSI, Retail, IT/ITeS, E-commerce, and Quick Service Restaurants, positioning them for better employment opportunities with an average minimum salary of INR 12,500.
Toshiaki Nomura, President & CEO, Canon India, said, “India’s young population can contribute immensely to nation building and we at Canon India are committed to nurturing this potential through necessary support and resources. ‘Empowerment’ is a critical pillar in our CSR policy, through which we have already impacted thousands of lives in our Adopted Villages. The establishment of new skill centres is a step towards providing market relevant skills and meaningful opportunities that benefit the youth in building successful careers and contributing to the country’s economy. This initiative is more than just training; it’s about instilling hope, confidence, and the ability to dream bigger. This program represents Canon India’s broader mission to drive sustainable development and empower individuals to achieve their fullest potential.”
Through a comprehensive 2.5-month training period, participants will engage in a blend of hands-on group and individual activities covering key areas such as English language proficiency, IT proficiency, and essential life skills. This training model promotes peer-to-peer learning, encourages collaboration, enhances communication, and boosts confidence, ensuring that participants are well-prepared to handle job interviews and navigate the job market with ease.
Further elaborating on the details of the new initiative, C Sukumaran, Senior Director, Product & Communication, Canon India, add, “At Canon India, we are deeply committed to the holistic and sustainable development of the community. Building on our impactful initiatives in Education, Empowerment, Environment and Eye Care, we are proud to introduce a new pillar in our CSR journey through skill centres that are aimed at empowering the burgeoning youth of India. Through the Skill Development & Livelihood Program, we aim to not only equip individuals with the skills needed for today’s job market but also support their path to employment, financial independence, and higher family income. Canon India aims for 70% of the trained individuals to secure job placements post-training, enhancing their employability in multiple sectors.”
The initiative not only aims to provide steady income to boost family earnings by double but also strives to make a real difference in the communities by creating sustainable livelihood opportunities. More importantly, the youth will further become ambassadors of change and inspire others in their community.
