On the occasion of World Youth Skills Day, ICICI Academy for Skills (ICICI Academy), a skill development academy set up by ICICI Foundation for Inclusive Growth (ICICI Foundation), said that it has provided free-of-cost skill training to over 8,000 individuals at its centre in Pune. ICICI Academy offers vocational training to less privileged youth to help them earn a sustainable livelihood.
ICICI Academy for Skills, started in October 2013, aims to provide relevant and practical training to the underprivileged youth in 12 disciplines, namely: Selling Skills, Office Administration, Electrical & Home Appliance Repair, Refrigeration & Air Conditioning Repair, Central Air Conditioning, Pumps & Motor Repair, Paint Application Techniques, Tractor Mechanic, Two & Three Wheeler Service Technician, Retail Sales, Assistant Beauty Therapist and Home Health Aide. All the students are also trained in specific life skills such as etiquette & grooming, communication, basics about computer and financial literacy which helps them adapt to an organised work environment. In addition to training, ICICI Academy provides uniforms, meal and all relevant course material to the trainees.
ICICI Academy reaches out to target segments through multiple channels depending on relevance in a particular geography. This includes conducting awareness programs in communities, arranging youth counselling sessions in various parts of the state, taking the help of the state government to mobilise candidates, taking help from NGOs, evaluating referrals and walk-in candidates as well as references from employers.
Established on November 28, 2013, the centre at Pune imparts free skill training to less privileged youth and offers a three months course in the areas of ‘Office Administration’ and ‘Selling Skills’. Women who have completed education till at least 12th standard and are between 18-30 years of age can apply for these courses.
The course content for the Office Administration programme is developed through the Knowledge Partner – Tally Solutions Pvt. Ltd. The Academy in Pune has also associated with over 80 employers to provide job opportunities to the students who get trained at the centre. Reliance, Nexa, Bajaj Finserve, PVR, Eureka Forbes, Croma and Magicbricks, among others have recruited trainees from the academy at Pune. At present, there are over 250 students undergoing training at the ICICI Academy in Pune. ICICI Academy has so far provided 100% placement to all its eligible trained youth. Since inception, the academy in Pune has trained over 8,000 individuals.
Speaking about ICICI Academy, Mr. Anup Bagchi, Executive Director, ICICI Bank and Member of the Governing Council, ICICI Foundation for Inclusive Growth said: “ICICI Foundation launched ICICI Academy for Skills in 2013 to contribute to the promotion of inclusive growth in India by providing the under-privileged youth with an opportunity to learn locally relevant skills. The programmes of the academy are planned with an intention to reduce the dearth of skilled personnel and the lack of access to job markets. Additionally, these programmes are focussed on offering industry-relevant practical training that can ensure a sustainable livelihood for the youth on a local level.
As of now, the ICICI Academy for Skills has 25 centres across the country offering courses in 12 disciplines. The skill academies have trained over 1.2 lakh people since inception of which 48,000 are women. I am also pleased to say that the academies have continued to achieve 100% placement for all their trained youth. Our efforts are not only making the youth financially independent but also making the local economy more vibrant.
Today, through its initiatives – ICICI Academy for Skills, ICICI Rural Self Employment Training Institutes (RSETIs) and skill development training at over 1,200 villages – ICICI Foundation has trained over four lakh individuals towards sustainable livelihood, of which 54% are women.”
