Youth unemployment highlighted as key issue in region 

(MissionNewswire) Salesian missionaries with Don Bosco Waluj, located in Ahmednagar, India, have launched the Don Bosco Avsar Job Placement Center to empower youth to find stable employment. The new center will address a critical need in the region by connecting youth with skill development, placement opportunities and targeted networking.

In his keynote remarks, Father George D’abreo emphasized the center’s pivotal role in overcoming the mounting challenges of unemployment among both skilled and unskilled youth in Ahmednagar and nearby districts in Maharashtra. Fr. D’Abreo expressed his optimism that the center would become a beacon of hope, fostering empowerment and economic independence for youth.

“Don Bosco Avsar will not merely serve as a facility but as a bridge — a means to connect job-seeking youth with employers,” said Fr. D’abreo. “The center will serve as a hub for job fairs, training workshops, and career guidance, equipping the youth to thrive in an increasingly competitive job market.”

Looking ahead, Don Bosco Avsar envisions creating a ripple effect of positive change. By fostering economic independence, the center will contribute to the growth and well-being of the entire community. Its mission is not merely to place individuals in jobs but to empower them with the skills and confidence needed to build sustainable and fulfilling careers.

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.

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Sources:

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

ANS – India – Inauguration of Don Bosco Avsar Ahmednagar

Salesian Missions – India

World Bank – India