Bhilai, Sep 28, 2018: From a shy girl to health-hygiene counselor; from a labour to expert electrician; from a farm labour to Senior Sales Executive; and from a shop worker to a Relationships Officer are some of the success stories of Livelihood College, Sector 6, which is a joint initiative by Government of Chhattisgarh through State Project Livelihood College Society (SPLCS) and ICICI Foundation. Over 5000 students have passed out from this centre and are successfully earning their livelihood and are supporting their family in a better way. At present, over 400 students are undergoing training, out of which 33% are females.
Hailing from a lower middle class family, Priyanka Mishra was a less-confident girl who never moved out of the house alone. Two years back, she needed her parents to accompany for visiting any place. But she had strong desire to learn and become self reliant. Priyanka had decided to take up some petty job after schooling to finance her higher education. In the meanwhile, she came to know about the Livelihood College and ICICI Academy of Skills and got enrolled for skills development training. Thereafter she got placed as Health – Hygiene Counsellor in P&G Company at the starting salary of Rs 9000 per month. The girl worked with dedication and utilised the life skills she learnt at the academy which brought her success in the first job. Considering her appreciable working, the company felicitated her at a function in Mumbai. The family was overwhelmed when they came to know that Priyanka is going to fly to Mumbai for attending this function. She became the first member of her family to travel in an aeroplane. Within nine months after training, this shy girl has become a confident young woman and has achieved a career which she had never imagined.
Same is the story of Dipti Rao who was not getting any proper employment opportunity after studies. She joined the Livelihood College and after receiving the skills development training of Office Administration, she got first placement in an automobile showroom. For career and salary growth, she jumped to other jobs and presently she is working as a Customer Relations Executive with Rs 13000 per month salary at a car showroom in Raipur.
Dhanendra Kumar of Bhatapara worked as a labour at some shop in Raipur. He received Refrigeration and AC Repair training at this centre and now Dhanendra has established himself as a skilled electrician. He is drawing Rs 12000 monthly salary at present. After completing the Refrigeration and AC Repair Training, Ajay Tiwari and Sonu Shah had to struggle in the initial years of the job. But soon both of them got nice opperunities in Hyderabad and now they are earning around Rs 20000 per month. Another trainee Deepak Choube has succeeded in becoming the Branch Head of a sales firm. Feeling exploited in a private job, Neelandas Manikpuri turned up to seek skills development training at this academy and now he is working as a Relationship Manager in Fullerton India. Priyakant Vishwakarma worked as a labour fro Rs 2000 at his village but now his salary has exceeded Rs 11000 and his working at a respectful position of Business Executive. Small village boy Sanjay Sahu has become Senior Sales Executive and his expected promotion as District Sales Manager very soon in a renowned marketing firm.
Addressing media persons here in Bhilai, Anup Bagchi (Executive Director, ICICI Bank) informed that “ICICI Foundation launched ICICI Academy for Skills in 2013 to contribute to the promotion of inclusive growth in India by providing the under-privileged youth with an opportunity to learn locally relevant skills. The programmes of the academy are planned with an intention to reduce the dearth of skilled personnel and the lack of access to job markets. Additionally, these programmes are focussed on offering industry-relevant practical training that can ensure a sustainable livelihood for the youth on a local level.
The Durg Centre situated in Sector 6 Bhilai centre offers courses in six disciplines: Selling Skills, Office Administration, Central Air Conditioning, Refrigeration & Air Conditioning, Electrical & Home Appliance Repair and Paint Application Techniques. The Academy has tied up with industry leaders like Tally Solutions Pvt. Ltd., Voltas Ltd., Blue Star Ltd., Schneider Electric India Foundation, and AkzoNobel India Ltd. who as ‘Knowledge Partners’ create content, set up practical training laboratories and train the trainers. Underprivileged people who have passed 5th Std can apply for Paint Application techniques, who have cleared 8th Std can apply for Centralized Air conditioning, Refrigeration & Air Conditioning and Electrical & Home Appliance Repair and youth who have passed 10th Std can apply for Selling Skills and Office Administration.