CHENNAI (India CSR): HCLFoundation, which drives the corporate social responsibility agenda of global technology company HCLTech in India, and the Tamil Nadu Skill Development Corporation (TNSDC) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to upskill rural youth in the Vilathikulam and Pudur blocks of Thoothukudi district with digital technologies and allied skills.
The partnership aims to provide training and placement support to 2,500 youth from 95 village panchayats over the next 36 months. The program will establish innovative employment models, including setting up micro workspaces at block headquarters to facilitate remote job opportunities in the IT and ITES sectors. A comprehensive placement tracking system will ensure that skill development translates into sustainable employment opportunities.
“The Government of Tamil Nadu is committed to ensuring that the benefits of industrial growth reach every corner of the state, especially in emerging hubs like Thoothukudi. This MoU with HCLFoundation is a proactive step to equip local youth with the skills needed to participate meaningfully in the district’s evolving economic landscape. By fostering employment within the community, we aim to reduce outward migration and promote greater inclusion—particularly for women entering new and dynamic sectors. This initiative reflects our broader vision of development that is both equitable and future ready,” said, Thiru. Kranthi Kumar Pati, IAS, Managing Director, TNSDC.
“Thoothukudi is fast becoming a key industrial hub in Tamil Nadu. Through the Samuday programme, the TNSDC–HCLFoundation partnership equips rural youth with skills to join this growth story, tackling educated unemployment and easing migration. The initiative also opens doors for women in non-traditional sectors like IT, logistics, and finance — driving inclusive, sustainable development rooted in local opportunities,” said, Alok Varma, Project Director – Samuday & My Clean City, HCLFoundation.
This partnership is under the “Vetri Nichayam” initiative, a program by the TNSDC designed to upskill unemployed youth, between the ages of 18 and 35, and provide them with immediate placement opportunities. It provides skill training in various sectors and connects participants with potential employers or self-employment opportunities.
(India CSR)
