New Delhi, October 20, 2023: The Flipkart Foundation, the charitable arm of the Flipkart Group, has collaborated with Smile Foundation, an Indian development organization, to introduce a livelihood programme designed to empower underprivileged youth. This partnership aims at equipping young individuals with industry-relevant skills, placing a special emphasis on Banking, Financial Services, and Insurance (BFSI), Personality Development (PD), and soft skills.
As a pivotal part of this collaboration, support will be extended to two strategically located Smile Twin e-Learning Programme (STeP) centres in Bengaluru. These institutions will provide comprehensive training to 270 youth selected from less privileged backgrounds, with itsripple effect indirectly benefiting a broader community of around 1,100 individuals. Thegoal of this initiative is to secure entry-level job placements for trained individuals, thereby opening doors to a more promising future.
This project, which will span 12 months, aligns seamlessly with the government’s Skill India Mission. The programme comprises three terms, each lasting four months. To commence this educational journey, the project will enrol and induct 45 students per term, guided by well-trained instructors, who would enable learners to not only understand the material but also make the most of the educational portal's features and resources. The programme also provides instructors with tools to closely monitor individual progress and overall performance, thereby allowing them to offer timely support and constructive feedback.
The programme also includes counselling sessions where enrolled youth can benefit from expert guidance and attend workshops aimed at honing their skills.
Commenting on the collaboration, Puja Trisal, Director, Flipkart Foundation, said, "In collaborationwith Smile Foundation, we at Flipkart Foundation are driven by a shared vision to empower the dreams of underprivileged youth. We believe that skill development is the key to unlocking a brighter future. Through this transformative initiative, we are not just creating job-ready individuals but also shaping a community of confident, skilled, and empowered young minds. Together, we are scripting stories of resilience and success, illuminating the path to a promising tomorrow for all.”
Santanu Mishra, Co-founder and Executive Trustee of Smile Foundation, commented, "We are glad to partner with the Flipkart Foundation and take our mission forward in enabling deserving youth with market-oriented employability skills. I am sure that our collective effort will make a little contribution towards the Skill India Mission by fostering the growth of talents. We are hopeful that our young beneficiaries will not only build a bright and dignified future but also contribute meaningfully towards nation-building."
The programme aligns with the Government of India's vision for skill development, empowerment, and employment.
In the past year, Flipkart Foundation has worked with underserved communities across Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Haryana, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Telangana, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, and West Bengal to serve, support, and empower unskilled and underprivileged sections of society in various sectors, to ensure maximum reach and sustainable impact.
