500 dropout youths of rural Rajasthan from Udaipur, Bhilwara, Ajmer and Chittorgarh were picked up by Vedanta Group Company, Hindustan Zinc in Rajasthan, and were trained in various vocational traits.

All these youths were school drop-outs and had left studies due to lack of interest, facilities or financial conditions. As part of training program, Hindustan Zinc also organized their boarding and lodging facilities for the entire duration of 90 days training program in each trait.

“These drop-outs unemployed youth were spending time in effortless activities and were not inclined to undertake any training for their gainful employment. The situation was absolutely not comfortable for girls. The families of these girls were not prepared for sending them for such residential program. It took time for the company to convince these youths and their families”.

“But once they joined the training program, the teaching methodology and on-hand experience resulted in a remarkable improvement in their skills. Today almost all of them have been employed and earning sufficiently and the salaries range from Rs. 4,000 to even 20,000/- pm”, said Pavan Kaushik, Head of Corporate Communication, Hindustan Zinc.

He further informed that “the vocational training has been designed keeping in consideration the rural background of these students, their interest and their grasping power. The areas of training include mining, welding, drilling, electrician, cutting, helpers, tailoring, embroidery, hospitality, etc.”

Equal emphasis has been given on class room lectures and practical exposures. Since the entire course is residential, the students also learn about team effort, discipline and overall personality development, which help them in securing sustainable livelihood.

“The training has been quite successful and it has motivated several other drop-outs youths, particularly girls, and encouraged them to learn and live a respectable future. Vocational training is the only option to employ such drop-out rural youths“, said Kaushik.