Project ODISERV empowers Odisha’s youth with skills for financial sector jobs, marking a significant step in India’s skill development landscape.
Evolution of Project ODISERV
Project ODISERV didn’t just pop up overnight. It’s the result of seeing a big need – that is, young grads in Odisha needing the right skills to snag jobs in the financial sector. The government and Bajaj Finserv saw this gap and teamed up. They wanted to make sure that the youth weren’t just educated but also ready to hit the ground running in jobs.
Project ODISERV emerged from a critical need to bridge the gap between the existing educational framework and the dynamic demands of the job market, particularly in the financial services sector. Recognizing the importance of skilling alongside academic education, the project was conceptualized to align with India’s National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. This policy advocates for the integration of vocational training and education to ensure that students are not just academically knowledgeable but also possess job-ready skills.
***
Definition of Project ODISERV
So, what exactly is Project ODISERV? Think of it as a bridge. On one side, you’ve got young folks eager to work but not quite sure how to get there. On the other, you’ve got the bustling world of finance, banking, and insurance screaming for skilled workers. Project ODISERV is that bridge connecting the two, with a focus on training and skilling up the youth.
Project ODISERV (Odisha Initiative for Skilling and Vocational Education) is a skill development initiative designed to prepare young graduates in Odisha for employment opportunities in the banking, finance, and insurance sectors. It is a structured 100-hour training program that imparts necessary skills and knowledge to make the youth employable and fulfill their career aspirations.
***
Purpose of Project ODISERV
The goal is clear: empower the youth. How? By making them more employable, giving them the skills that the finance sector drools over. It’s not just about getting any job; it’s about getting good jobs that make them and their families proud and financially secure.
The primary purpose of Project ODISERV is to empower the youth by enhancing their employability through skill development in the state of Odisha. It aims to equip students, especially first-generation graduates from tier-II and tier-III cities, with the competencies required in the financial services industry. By doing so, the project seeks to contribute to India’s economic growth and support the realization of the demographic dividend.
***
Examples of Impact
Already, over one thousand students have gone through this program. Impact is all about learning of finance, banking, and insurance. And guess what? Some walked away with job offers in hand. That’s real impact, real change happening.
Training and Placement: Already, 1100 students in Odisha have been trained under Project ODISERV, with some receiving job offers immediately upon completion of the program.
Industry-Academia Collaboration: The initiative is a perfect example of how collaboration between industry leaders and academic institutions can create impactful skilling opportunities. For instance, the partnership between the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC), Bajaj Finserv, and educational institutions in Odisha.
***
Future Prospects
The sky’s the limit here. Starting in Odisha, this project has plans to go big, spreading to 60 colleges across 11 cities. And it’s not stopping at Odisha’s borders. The vision is to take this nationwide, reaching over 400 colleges across 22 states. That’s thousands of lives changed, thousands of careers kick-started.
Project ODISERV is set to expand its reach beyond Odisha, aiming to cover over 400 colleges across 22 states in India. This expansion is expected to build the capabilities of 20,000 candidates initially, through the Certificate Programme for Banking Finance & Insurance (CPBFI). The curriculum, designed in collaboration with industry experts, will adapt to the evolving landscape of finance, banking, and insurance, incorporating the latest trends and technologies.
***
Partnerships
This isn’t a solo mission. The National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) and Bajaj Finserv are in this together, alongside the government. It’s a powerful combo of public and private forces joining hands for a common goal. Plus, there’s talk of linking up with banks and insurance companies to open even more doors for these trained youths.
The success and scalability of Project ODISERV rely on strategic partnerships:
Bajaj Finserv & NSDC: A key partnership that brought Project ODISERV to life, combining Bajaj Finserv’s industry insights with NSDC’s expertise in skill development.
Educational Institutions: Collaboration with colleges and universities across Odisha (and eventually across India) to implement the CPBFI program.
Financial Sector Stakeholders: Engaging with banks, financial institutions, and insurance companies to provide students with internships, on-the-job training, and exposure to industry best practices.
In conclusion, Project ODISERV stands as a beacon of hope for many young graduates in India, promising not just to enhance their employability but also to empower them to fulfill their aspirations. Through its evolution, purpose-driven approach, impactful examples, ambitious future prospects, and strategic partnerships, Project ODISERV is poised to play a pivotal role in shaping the future workforce of India’s financial services sector.
(Copyright@IndiaCSR)
