Mumbai, September 06, 2023. The Swades Foundation, a philanthropic initiative by Zarina and Ronnie Screwvala, successfully trained 5,000 rural youth in Maharashtra through its Youth Skilling Program. This initiative, carried out in collaboration with Udyogwardhini and Learnet Skills and supported by CSR partners, has resulted in 83% of the trained youth gaining access to employment and self-employment opportunities. Targeting underserved youth in the age group of 18 to 35 years in rural Maharashtra, the Youth Skilling Program's primary objective is to equip them with the necessary skill sets, including soft skills, to secure meaningful employment. The program opens doors to opportunities that offer annual incomes ranging from INR 80,000 to INR 1,20,000.
Commenting on the accomplishment, Mangesh Wange – CEO of Swades Foundation said, "At Swades, we empower rural communities to transform their own lives. A big part of this is supporting them with sustainable opportunities for livelihood - including skilling the youth. The courses are spread across a wide spectrum - from masonry and electricals to accounting and hospitality. The program helps curb forced migration and create a self-reliant rural community. Over 83% of our youth are now formally placed in their respective sectors or are gainfully self-employed. We are working to scale our efforts and reach many more youth through our skilling program in rural Maharashtra and beyond."
The Swades Foundation Youth Skilling Program currently provides courses in various fields, including healthcare (GDA), hospitality (F&B Service Steward), IT (DEO), electronics, masonry, and beauty assistance. All these courses adhere to the curriculum set by the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) and have a standard duration of 45 days. Swades Foundation's skilling initiatives collectively contribute over INR 30 crores annually to rural Maharashtra households.
