The Business Bytes
THEBUSINESSBYTES BUREAU
LANJIGARH, FEBRUARY 28, 2025
Vedanta Lanjigarh, a subsidiary of Vedanta Aluminium and India’s leading producer of smelter-grade alumina, is driving transformative change in Kalahandi’s tribal belt through its Skill Development Programmes (SDP). By focusing on enhancing the employability of rural youth, the programme is not only elevating individual careers but also catalyzing socio-economic change in the region.
The ambitious SDP aims to bridge the gap between local youth and the growing demand for skilled professionals in various industries. With an emphasis on training, employment opportunities, and entrepreneurship, the programme aligns with the Government of India’s Viksit Bharat mission, which seeks to foster inclusive growth and sustainable development across the nation.
Pranab Kumar Bhattacharya, CEO of Vedanta Alumina Business, highlighted the program’s importance, saying, “At Vedanta, our vision is to harness the potential of local youth, leveraging our demographic dividend by offering them comprehensive, industry-aligned training. Our initiative aims to integrate them into the socio-economic mainstream, providing them with pathways to promising careers.” He further stated that the program is a testament to Vedanta’s commitment to building a self-reliant, skilled workforce in the region.
The initiative is deeply aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), specifically SDG Goal 1 – “No Poverty,” and SDG Goal 8 – “Decent Work and Economic Growth.” Through this programme, Vedanta seeks to uplift marginalized communities, providing them with access to sustainable livelihoods and fostering economic development.
In a concerted effort to train more than 1,200 rural youth over the next three years, the programme employs a two-pronged approach: providing both formal training and opening avenues for entrepreneurship and employment. The collaboration with Odisha Skill Development Authority (OSDA) and NABARD underscores the initiative’s focus on the vision of an Atmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliant India).
To date, 15 batches of students have been successfully trained in the food and beverage trade. Through the SDP, the trained youth have gained access to a network of over 12 placement partners across 11 states. A significant 475 out of 632 trained youth have secured placements with renowned companies such as Absolute Barbeques Nation, Golf Club, Club Mahindra, and Belgian Waffles, among others. These placements have not only enhanced their skills but also offered them stable employment with an average annual package of Rs 1.2 lakh.
By facilitating such opportunities, Vedanta’s SDP is playing a pivotal role in uplifting the economic well-being of families in Kalahandi. The programme’s success lies in its ability to integrate youth into the mainstream economy, thus providing them with the tools they need to achieve financial independence and contribute to the region’s growth.
The program, which is already making a significant impact, continues to transform the lives of rural youth, offering them not just jobs, but opportunities to thrive in the fast-evolving professional landscape. Through these efforts, Vedanta is not only changing the narrative of Kalahandi’s rural youth but also contributing significantly to the nation’s broader goals of economic prosperity and self-sufficiency.
