Today's Youth, Leaders Of Tomorrow: ICICI Academy For Skills

A 14-year-old lost his father, a family lost its breadwinner. To bring food to the family table, the boy dropped out of school and took up his late father's 'raddi' (scrap dealer) business. His 8-year old brother and his housewife mother depend on his meagre income. How will young Manoj find time and resources for his own education?

'Never stop dreaming' is what keeps Manoj going. Reading the books people throw out as scrap and utilising whatever time he could spare for self-study, Manoj tries to continue his learning. But, it is not enough.

Some dreams deserve to get fulfilled. Watch the video to know how Manoj got a new life and a new livelihood.

Who will champion this cause in India?

In 2008, ICICI Foundation for Inclusive Growth launched a national-level initiative, ICICI Academy for Skills, to meet the demand for skilled labour and create sustainable livelihood opportunities for Indian youth from economically weaker sections of society.

There are many people like Manoj in our country, aspiring, hard-working but unable to breach the skill-employability gap. More than half of India's population, an estimated 600 million people, are under 25 years old. No country in the world has more young people than us. India's quest for equitable, sustainable and fast-paced development lies squarely on these young shoulders.

However, addressing the employability gap has become a growing concern. The manpower available is not being put to efficient use due to a lack of skill and livelihood training.

On the occasion of the recent World Youth Skills Day 2018, the United Nations observed the challenges the youth of today faces in the job market and said that education and training are the determinants of success in the labour market.

Free of cost training at ICICI Academy

The academy provides training in 11 key skills – 7 technical and 4 office skills, including soft skills like communication skills, financial literacy, sanitation and hygiene, and orientation for adapting to an organised working environment across 24 centres. In addition, it provides free uniform and meals to the trainees.

The industry-relevant and job-oriented vocational trainings have ensured a remarkable 100% placement rate with the help of over 1,300 industry partners. Companies like Airtel, Croma Retail – A TATA Enterprise, Kotak Mahindra Bank, Axis Securities Ltd, Gennext Vision, Enfield Riders, A2 Aircon among others, have recruited trainees from the Academy.

Knowledge Partners at ICICI Academies

One of the prominent challenges involved in skill training initiatives is how to design a relevant and effective curriculum. To meet this challenge, the ICICI Academy has brought in several industry-leaders as Knowledge Partners.

These Knowledge Partners undertake curriculum design and content development, including the setting up of labs and training of the trainers. The Academy has partnered with Schneider Electric India Foundation (for Electrical & Home Appliance Repair), Blue Star Ltd. (for Refrigeration & AC Repair), Crompton Greaves Ltd. (for Pumps & Motor Repair), Voltas Ltd. (for Central Air Conditioning), AkzoNobel India Ltd. (for Paint Application Techniques), Tally Solutions Pvt. Ltd. (for Office Administration), NIIT Ltd. (for Web Designing), Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd. Auto Farm Sector (for Tractor Mechanic) and TVS Training & Services Ltd. (for Two & Three Wheeler Service Technician).

ICICI Foundation transforming lives

K Swamy hails from Vengur village in Tamil Nadu. He felt defeated by life, as his attempts to generate a living were a series of failures. Ridiculed and humiliated, he had almost given up hope when he heard about the ICICI Academy.

Under the able guidance, Swamy learned about dairy farming techniques. Starting from a small loan, he bought two cows. Within a few months, he managed to help several other villagers and slowly set-up a dairy cooperative which collects milk in the village and then directly sells it to a company.

Now, his initial loan is almost repaid and he is planning to take a loan to set-up a chilling plant. He has a new-found confidence and vision. The chance of a good education which was denied to him is now available to his children.

To hear more about him, watch this video.

'Sashakt Gaon, Samriddh Bharat'

In November 2016, ICICI Bank committed to transform 100 villages into 'ICICI Digital Villages' in just 100 days. Later, the number increased to over 600.

This programme involves an end to end digitisation of transactions and other commercial activities, providing vocational training to villagers, extending credit facility and helping the villagers to access markets and earn a sustainable livelihood.

As part of a national programme initiated by the Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD), ICICI Bank has set up Rural Self Employment Training Institutes RSETIs. This initiative focuses on providing free vocational training to locally-relevant skills that empower villagers to be self-reliant. The initiative also promotes entrepreneurship and development of micro-enterprises by providing loans.

As of today, ICICI Foundation, through its various initiatives at ICICI Academy, RSETIs and Digital Villages has trained over 3.8 lakh individuals including more than 1.63 lakh women.

The Logical Indian appreciates the initiatives of the ICICI Foundation. An empowered, skilled, educated and aware Indian youth is the need of the hour and the way to a better tomorrow.