The Business Bytes
New Delhi, July 15, 2024 (TBB Bureau): On World Youth Skills Day, Vedanta Aluminium, the leading aluminium producer in India, underscored its dedication to youth empowerment by unveiling an extensive expansion of its skill development programs across its operational regions. This strategic move aims to enhance the skills of rural youth, transitioning them from unskilled to semi-skilled professionals through placement-linked training initiatives.
In collaboration with prestigious institutions such as the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD), Odisha Skill Development Authority (OSDA), and Skill Development Institute (SDI), Vedanta Aluminium is working to provide valuable training and employment opportunities. These efforts are designed to offer sustainable livelihoods, thereby contributing to the socio-economic advancement of communities across India.
To date, Vedanta Aluminium has successfully trained approximately 14,000 young individuals through its skilling programs and institutional partnerships. These training initiatives not only improve skill levels but also open doors to higher-paying job opportunities, fostering career growth and stability for the trainees. The success of these programs has led to increased enrolment, promoting a culture of continuous learning and improvement.
John Slaven, CEO of Vedanta Aluminium, emphasized the company’s commitment, stating, “Skilling the younger population is integral to our vision of elevating the socio-economic status of regions where we operate. By equipping them with market-relevant skills and fostering a culture of continuous learning, we are not only helping them to secure their future but also bringing remote areas of the country to the socio-economic mainstream. To date, we have trained 14,000 youth, and on World Youth Skills Day, we reiterate our commitment to bridging skill gaps and creating opportunities to help shape the next generation of leaders and innovators in India.”
In Odisha, Vedanta’s skill development programs are particularly robust. At the alumina refinery in Lanjigarh, Kalahandi district, the company plans to enhance the skills of 3,500 youth over the next three years through partnerships with OSDA and NABARD. The training centers in Lanjigarh and Bhawanipatna offer courses in various fields including food and beverage, hospitality, and electrical maintenance. Graduates from these programs have secured positions with notable organizations such as Club Mahindra and Sarovar Hotels and Resorts, with a commendable 77% placement rate for the current fiscal year.
Similarly, at the aluminium plant in Jharsuguda, Vedanta has teamed up with Ashok Leyland and the State Government to provide training in light and heavy motor vehicles. Many trainees have found employment within Vedanta’s operations or local industries. The World Skill Centre in Bhubaneswar further supports technical education in mechatronics and mechanical and electrical services.
In Jamkhani, Sundargarh, Vedanta’s partnership with SDI and the State Institute of Hotel Management, Balangir has enabled over 60 candidates to receive training across various programs, with most securing relevant jobs after completion.
In Chhattisgarh, Vedanta’s Korba unit, BALCO, operates three Vedanta Skill School centers that provide vocational training in electrical maintenance, welding, hospitality, fitting, and solar technology. The success of these programs is highlighted by an impressive 81% job placement or entrepreneurship rate among trainees for FY24.
Further south in Andhra Pradesh, Vedanta’s Vizag General Cargo Berth (VGCB) port operations have seen the establishment of a state-of-the-art computer lab at Queen Mary Government High School in collaboration with the Vedanta Foundation. This initiative has empowered over 1,100 young beneficiaries and significantly addressed the digital divide. Additionally, Vedanta’s partnership with the Centre of Excellence for Maritime & Shipbuilding (CEMS) has facilitated the training and placement of 100 youth as CNC operators, electricians, and inventory controllers, with the inventory controller training batch being exclusively female.
These initiatives underscore Vedanta Aluminium’s commitment to fostering skill development and providing sustainable employment opportunities across India.
