Vocational Skill Training Program

Background/Context:

Youth (15-24 years) in India constitutes one-fifth of the total population (census 2011). India is expected to have a 34% share of youth in the total population. Due to the growing population, the youth in India have been exposed to unemployment, fierce competition in the job market, lack of suitable job opportunities, job sustainability, and overall uncertainty about a sustainable livelihood. Even young people with a college education and multiple degrees face difficulty in getting a job to sustain a decent lifestyle. In this situation, the young people from an underprivileged and marginalized background, who are mostly first-generation learners, are even more susceptible. They are deprived of quality education, skill training, and overall development required in a highly competitive job market. They mostly end up working in the unorganized sector as daily wage laborers or doing unskilled jobs with little opportunity to forge out a decent living. And for young girls and women, the opportunity is even less as gender discrimination is still a reality in Indian society.

Project Rationale:

Knowledge of English still plays a very important role in the job market in India, especially in the service sector, retail industries, hospitality, management, call centers, and other marketing jobs. The ability to communicate in English works as an added advantage in getting a job. In addition to the Communicative English training, classes on Life Skills Education also help the students to recognize their strengths and weaknesses, build up self-confidence, be more assertive in communicating their opinion, and be focused on their life. At Lakshya, the students who enrolled in the job-oriented computer course also attend the compulsory Communicative English and Life Skills Education classes which help in their holistic development besides getting the skill training. We at Lakshya also believe in Women’s Empowerment and thus we try to keep a ratio of 60:40 girl and boy students in ours. The project aims at addressing the

Sustainable Development Goal of the United Nations targets Reduced Inequalities (SDG -11), Decent Work and Economic Growth (SDG – 8), Quality Education (SDG – 4), and Gender Equality (SDG – 5).

Project Objective:

1. To impart knowledge on speaking and listening skills in English

2. To develop competency to communicate appropriately and effectively in English

3. To help in developing a positive attitude

4. To stimulate a desire and want to develop self

Operational Plan:

· Identification of students through interviews and home visits

· Pre-assessment of the students

· Allotment of classes

· Conducting of classes

· Students appraisal

· Post assessment of students

· Regular networking with potential employers and the job market

· Handholding support to students for interviews