More than 900 youth participate in job fair following opening of facility

(MissionNewswire) The Salesian community in Nerul, Mumbai, India, recently launched a job placement and career services office named Don Bosco Avsar to empower and support youth who are disadvantaged. The word “avsar” means opportunity, and the name signifies the commitment Salesians have to help youth access job opportunities that will provide a stable and happy future.

Efforts are aimed primarily at youth who are struggling to find suitable employment. The new facility was blessed and opened by Father Barnabe D’Souza, rector in Nerul. Speaking during the opening, Father Allwyn Misquitta, the driving force behind Don Bosco Avsar, highlighted the challenges faced by job seekers, especially those from marginalized communities. He emphasized that the new organization would be a vital platform where individuals could find job opportunities that align with their skills and aspirations. The launch was followed by “Mega Job Fair 2025” held on Feb. 1.

A Salesian noted, “The event was an excellent opportunity for job seekers to connect with potential employers and find employment opportunities in various sectors. The were 915 youth who were seeking jobs. Salesians brought together 72 job providers, which included corporations, nongovernmental organizations and other employers. These recruiters provided information on wide range of job vacancies, which was hugely beneficial to the job seekers. It also helped the young people understand the variety of career choices available today and to build contacts with industry.”

The event was organized in collaboration with the Bombay Catholic Sabha and the Association of Muslim Professionals. The Salesian added, “Thanks to this initiative, the more than 900 youth who participated in this job fair experienced a strong sense of renewed hope in their lives.”

Access to professional training and workforce development services is highly valued in India. While India has the world’s largest youth population, it has yet to capitalize on this, leaving some 30% of this population without employment, education or training.

India’s youth face a lack of educational opportunities due to issues of caste, class and gender. Almost 44% of the workforce is illiterate and less than 10% of the working-age population has completed a secondary education. In addition, many secondary school graduates do not have the knowledge and skills to compete in today’s changing job market.

###

Sources:

ANS Photo (usage permissions and guidelines must be requested from ANS) 

ANS – India – Bringing Hope Through Job Opportunities: the Don Bosco Avsar centre

Salesian Missions – India

World Bank – India