Hyderabad, NFAPost: While the COVID-19 pandemic has led to the shutdown of educational institutions and training centres across the nation, GMR Group, through its Corporate Social Responsibility arm GMR Varalakshmi Foundation (GMRVF), has introduced an innovative online solution to train school/college dropout youth to enhance their employability skillsets during the lock-down.
GMRVCEL (GMR Varalakshmi Centre for Empowerment and Livelihoods–Hyderabad) at Shamshabad is a Skill Development Centre supported under CSR of GMR Hyderabad International Airport Limited bad International Airport, which has been offering skill-based training facilities to the unemployed youth from across the state since 2008.
However, due to compulsive shut-down of the training centre amidst Covid-19 pandemic, this was impacting the youth adversely who were dependent upon the skill-based training courses imparted by GMRVF.
For the benefit of the youth, GMRVF introduced customized online training classes, which could be accessed by the candidates from the safety of their homes.
GMRVF has adapted all available courses (except Driving) into ‘Blended Learning Method’. This approach combines online educational literature and opportunities for virtual interaction along with physical training (to be conducted once the centre opens as per Govt. guidelines). The course is also beneficial as it offers students some element of control over their time, place, path, or pace.
For this training module, the candidates who are selected are being given online training classes in their respective line of subjects.
They are taught Selected Job Role content, Soft Skills, Spoken English and also assessed through Online Assessments during these sessions. Once the centre operations recommence as per the govt guidelines, the practical sessions will be imparted to these candidates.
Through this way of online teaching methodology, the students are not at a loss in any manner and stand to benefit with the education that they get.
The courses under blended learning methods include – Drywall & False Ceiling Technician, Excavator Operator, Welding Technician, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Technician, Automobiles and Two-wheeler repairing, Solar Technician, Electrical House Wiring, Hotel Management (F&B), Computers – MS Office & DTP (Only for Women), and Tailoring.
Till date, GMRVF at Hyderabad has trained over 9500 youth with 90% placement record. The centre has tied up with various industry partners over the years, like Voltas, Schneider, Hero MotoCorp, Volvo, Everest Industry, Maruti Driving School, etc. for quality training, joint certification and placement support.
The training at the centre is part of the Skill India Mission. It has also undertaken a unique RPL (Recognition of Prior Learning) project under the PMKVY scheme for training and certifying all the airport House Keeping and landscaping staff. Till now over 400 such staff have been trained and certified.
Based on the experience gained, the Foundation has expanded it skill training to Raikal and Nagaram in Jagatiyal and Sircilla districts respectively in Telangana where it has set up such centres and is also partnering in a skill training centre at Muchintal, near Hyderabad. More than 1000 youth are passing out from these centres annually gaining meaningful employment.
The GMR group’s CSR has created an impact on over 1 lakh lives and is supported by over a 1000 member team working across 24 locations across India.
All school and college dropout youth are eligible to join these courses offered.
