BENGALURU: The/Nudge Foundation, a non-profit focused on sustainable poverty alleviation at scale, in association with Mphasis, leading IT service and solutions provider today held its first ever graduation ceremony for the underprivileged youth from its inaugural batch of the Gurukul.
Over 45 underprivileged youngsters from slums across Bengaluru graduated after successfully completing the four month residential Programme in Life Management, and have received placements in reputed organizations.
Delivering the Keynote speech, B Muthuraman, Padma Bhushan awardee and Ex Vice Chairman, Tata Steel, shared his personal story, motivated the students and also said, “The greatest challenge that India faces today is human development. That’s why it’s vital that we have organizations like The/Nudge who are investing in youngsters, especially those from impoverished backgrounds and affording them opportunities to bring them into the mainstream.”
Despite having little to no formal education or employment opportunities prior to the Gurukul, these students have now graduated with more than one job offer in hand. Over 80% of the students were placed even before they graduated, with the female students being offered jobs by employers such as YLG, Naturals, Uber Salon etc while the male students have been placed with DriveU, Innerchef, Cartisan.
During the Leadership Address, Puneet Bhirani – Chief Administrative Officer, Mphasis said, “We are excited that we are one step closer towards realizing the government’s vision of Skill India. We are confident of the potential of these Gurukuls in training youth groups in specific trades and narrowing India’s skill gap. Through our partnership, we aim to enhance the impact both in scale and geography soon.”
Speaking at the event, Atul Satija, CEO and founder of The/Nudge Foundation said, “Our model is more time, effort and resource intensive than any other skilling programme in the country. But the incredible impact we’ve seen in the students and the overwhelming response of partners and employers to our pilot batch of students is a reaffirmation of the model and we are now ready to scale up. I am immensely proud of our students and I wish them all the best as they graduate today and go on to scale newer heights. ”
The partnership which was announced in October 2015 brings innovative approach to improving India’s massive skill deficit. Gurukuls, the four-month residential programme will aim to impart life-skills, literacy as well as livelihoods to the youngsters from disadvantaged communities across Bengaluru. Apart from life skill training, the Gurukuls offers intensive courses from English language literacy to financial literacy to family management which is imparted by industry experts. The low-income communities will not just learn vocational skills but will also be equipped with life skills and economic foundations including interpersonal skills, financial management, family planning, health and nutrition etc., resulting in higher job security, growth and overall development after the four months training.
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