Ma Foi Foundation and MSSW Launch Skill Development Centre in Chennai

The joint initiative will equip young people with future-ready skills, strengthen employability and create pathways to emerging career opportunities.

CHENNAI (India CSR®): The Ma Foi Foundation (TMF), the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) arm of the Ma Foi Group and CIEL HR, has launched a new Skill Development Centre in collaboration with the Madras School of Social Work (MSSW) in Chennai. Located at the MSSW campus in Egmore, the Centre was inaugurated during the institution’s 75th anniversary year. It aims to provide young people with industry-relevant training, improve employability and support access to emerging career and livelihood opportunities.

Strengthening Youth Employability

The inauguration was held in the presence of Hemalatha Rajan, Managing Trustee, The Ma Foi Foundation, and K. A. Mathew, I.A.S., President, MSSW, along with senior representatives from both organisations. The initiative is intended to strengthen the connection between education, contemporary skills and employment opportunities. It will focus particularly on aspiring youth and underserved communities seeking to build careers in emerging sectors and adapt to changing workplace expectations.

Training For Tomorrow

The Centre has been introduced at a time when emerging technologies and evolving industry requirements are reshaping the skills needed by young professionals. It will offer industry-oriented training in emerging domains such as Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Data Analytics. The programmes will also focus on employability-oriented capabilities, enabling learners to develop technical knowledge, workplace readiness and a clearer understanding of career pathways. Through practical and career-oriented learning, the Centre seeks to bridge the gap between education, industry needs and employment opportunities.

Building Career Pathways

The collaboration aims to support learners in gaining relevant skills, strengthening confidence and preparing for new opportunities in the economy. The Ma Foi Foundation works to create opportunities in skill development, employability and livelihood. Through this new Centre, it will seek to connect relevant skills with employment opportunities and help learners move towards sustainable livelihoods.

Partnership For Impact

The partnership brings together The Ma Foi Foundation’s experience in skill development, employability and livelihood programmes with MSSW’s academic foundation in social sciences, social work education, community engagement and youth development. MSSW’s academic and outreach initiatives have long focused on developing skilled professionals and contributing to social development. Its collaboration with TMF is expected to strengthen the link between academic learning, community needs and industry-oriented career preparation. TMF has been implementing skill development and employment-oriented initiatives for underserved communities and aspiring youth, with a focus on aligning training with evolving industry requirements and pathways to sustainable employment.

Speaking on the collaboration, Hemalatha Rajan, Managing Trustee, The Ma Foi Foundation, said, “We believe that skilling becomes truly meaningful when it is closely connected to the aspirations of young people and the requirements of industry. Our collaboration with Madras School of Social Work provides an opportunity to create a strong platform where learners can acquire contemporary skills, build confidence and access pathways to meaningful employment.”

Creating Scalable Opportunities

Beyond individual skill development, the partnership seeks to create a scalable model for collaborative skilling and livelihood initiatives. The Centre will work towards improving the connection between learning and employment, while enabling more young people to access opportunities in high-growth and emerging areas. The initiative reflects a shared commitment by The Ma Foi Foundation and MSSW to strengthen youth development, enhance employability and build meaningful pathways towards economic participation.