With an objective to support India’s young generation in obtaining job-relevant skills and livelihoods, Ambuja Cement Foundation (ACF) has imparted skill training to over 88,000 youth with a placement rate of 76% from rural and semi-urban areas across 10 States of India, via its SEDI (Skill and Entrepreneurship Development Institutes).
SEDI is a unique skilling initiative that focuses on creating sustainable livelihoods for rural youth – making them industry-ready through practical vocational training. The initiative also encourages entrepreneurship among its students and motivates them to start their own ventures to improve their economic conditions. SEDI is running 43 certified courses at its 35 centres in eight domains such as IT/ITES, electronics, health, construction, beauty and wellness, hospitality and tourism, automobile, capital goods, retail, telecom etc.
Speaking on the occasion of World Youth Skills Day, Ms. Pearl Tiwari added that, “Every year, 15 million youth enter the workforce, however, industry studies say that more than 75% of them are not ‘job-ready’. In such a scenario SEDI’s achievement of providing vocational training to over 88,000 youth to make them employable, is a matter of immense satisfaction. ACF is committed to transforming the lives of people in rural areas by creating livelihoods – equipping rural men and women with the necessary skills to find a job. We look forward to continuing our efforts to bridge the skills gap that India is facing, and contributing to the Government’s Skill India Mission.”
The success of the skilling initiative has led to various corporates, government organizations and NGOs providing support to expand SEDI’s footprint in various other locations – offering opportunities to more rural youth across India. ACF is also helping young people to earn, build careers and lift their families out of poverty. With gender diversity as one of its core values, ACF has also maintained a healthy 40:60 female-male ratio in each SEDI centre. Moreover, ACF has trained 3166 women in male-dominated technical domains like welder, security guards, electricians, and technicians and has also placed 2153 women in various organisations.
Established in 1993, Ambuja Cement Foundation is a grassroots pan-India implementing organisation that harnesses the power of partnerships – between communities, Government and other like-minded corporates and NGOs – to help solve pressing community problems and to foster prosperity. For the past 28 years, ACF has created a significant impact. A full-fledged Research and Monitoring Unit, along with numerous external, independent studies show significant change – in income levels, health indicators and overall harmony and happiness. Our work has spread beyond our core villages, and by working hand in hand with like-minded organisations, we aim to significantly impact the pressing issues currently inhabiting our country.