The Don Bosco Tech Society operates a network of skill training centers that serve as valuable resources for youth with little access to education. The skill training programs offered at Don Bosco centers throughout India provide training that meets the needs of local job markets. Courses combine classroom education with mentoring, soft skills training and hands-on internships. Salesian teachers at the centers also work with students to help them craft resumes and prepare for interviews, all with the goal of ensuring graduates find employment.

The partnership with Aspiring Minds will help Don Bosco Tech students gain recognition for their studies by granting them access to industry tests and certification processes. Students will be eligible for certification in 110 careers such as electrician, plumber, beautician and more. The certifications span 15 employment sectors including hospitality, plumbing, electronics, agriculture and beauty and wellness.

According to a recent India Education Diary article about the partnership, Aspiring Minds’ TESLA technology provides tests that are reliable, standardized and ensure high integrity results. With the Indian government’s mission to train more than 400 million candidates by 2022, it is essential to scale vocational assessment and certification infrastructure capabilities across the country. Job skill recognition paves the way for fair wages, career advancement and other job benefits which further recognizes and rewards a more skilled workforce.

“Assessment driven, industry recognized certifications are essential in enabling youth to access the right jobs,” said Himanshu Aggarwal, co-founder and CEO of Aspiring Minds, in the India Education Diary article. “Our skills assessment technology is used by millions of job seekers every year including youth with vocational training. The partnership with Don Bosco Tech will help youth gain the recognition for their skills and enhance their employment readiness.”

The nationwide network of assessment centers will help Don Bosco Tech and Aspiring Minds to work with and recruit new local businesses that seek skilled labor, allowing graduates to make an easy transition from the classroom into employment.

“It is essential to give youth quality training and certify their abilities to match the global standards to bridge the skill-gap,” said Father A.M. Joseph, executive director of Don Bosco Tech, in the article. “The partnership will leverage the strength of both Aspiring Minds and Don Bosco Tech to provide youth quality training and certification for employment.”

Access to professional training and workforce development services is highly valued by youth in India given the current state of the country’s economy. According to the International Labor Organization’s Global Employment Trends 2015 Report, India experienced a sharp slowdown in the economy during 2012 and 2013 when growth dropped below 5 percent. The economy grew slightly faster in 2014 reaching 5.4 percent, reflecting an improvement in the growth rate of the services sector and a better monsoon season than originally anticipated. However, the unemployment rate for youth is remaining flat after having risen 3.6 percent in 2012 and again climbed in 2013 to 3.7 percent.

With more than 1.2 billion people, India has the world’s fourth largest economy and according to UNICEF, is home to one-third of the world’s poor. Close to 217 million of India’s poor are children. Although more than 53 million people escaped poverty between 2005 and 2010, most remain vulnerable to falling back below the poverty line.

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

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Sources:

Don Bosco Tech

India Education Diary – Aspiring Minds widens vocational skill certification network with another 250+ centres across India

International Labour Organization – World Employment Social Outlook 2015

UNICEF – India

The post INDIA: Aspiring Minds Partners with Don Bosco Tech to Open 250 Assessment and Certification Centers first appeared on MissionNewswire.

Access to professional training and workforce development services is highly valued by youth in India given the current state of the country’s economy. According to the International Labor Organization’s Global Employment Trends 2015 Report, India experienced a sharp slowdown in the economy during 2012 and 2013 when growth dropped below 5 percent. The economy grew slightly faster in 2014 reaching 5.4 percent, reflecting an improvement in the growth rate of the services sector and a better monsoon season than originally anticipated. However, the unemployment rate for youth is remaining flat after having risen 3.6 percent in 2012 and again climbed in 2013 to 3.7 percent.

With more than 1.2 billion people, India has the world’s fourth largest economy and according to UNICEF, is home to one-third of the world’s poor. Close to 217 million of India’s poor are children. Although more than 53 million people escaped poverty between 2005 and 2010, most remain vulnerable to falling back below the poverty line.

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

For poor youth who lack access to education and skills training, risk of exploitation in the labor market increases as does their chance of continuing to live in conditions of poverty. The current automobile repair industry in India is characterized by an inadequately skilled workforce and a lack of professional training opportunities for repair and diagnostics. The Toyota training program at the Don Bosco Center for Learning, which was been successfully facilitated in 53 countries, will enhance the technical abilities and employability of its trainees. Youth between the ages of 16 and 18 will have access to this program.

“At present, there is a huge skills gap in the automotive repair industry in India,” says Father Mark Hyde, executive director of Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco. “This partnership is meant to address the rise in youth unemployment while providing Toyota a skilled employable workforce. Students will now have access to training and education that will lead directly to long-term stable employment.”

Toyota will train Salesian instructors at the Don Bosco Center for Learning in the latest technologies specific to the Toyota brand and the automotive industry in general. In addition, Toyota has provided high-tech training packages including tools, equipment and Toyota-specific service training manuals and materials. Once students successfully complete the classroom education part of the program, they will have access to hands-on job training in one of Toyota’s dealerships. It is anticipated that upon successful completion of the program, students will easily gain employment with Toyota.

“To further help prepare students for the workforce, Salesian missionaries will offer students in this program resume writing assistance, interview skills training, life skills training and other social development services,” adds Fr. Hyde. “The goal is to help students break the cycle of poverty, gain stable employment and contribute back to their communities.”

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Sources:

ANS – India – Toyota and Don Bosco Centre for Learning join forces

International Labour Organization – World Employment Social Outlook 2015

UNICEF – India

The post INDIA: Toyota and Don Bosco Center for Learning Develop Collaborative Training Partnership first appeared on MissionNewswire.