Anudip & Citi Foundation launch first Skill Devpt Centre in WB

Anudip, a not-for-profit social enterprise empowering individuals through digital and workplace skills, along with Citi Foundation, today announced the launch of its 'Skill Development Centre' at Barasat, 35 km from here.
"Two centres, being set up near the city in Barasat and Sonarpur, will collectively impact 800 youths from lower income communities in West Bengal," the organisers said.
Through Anudip's innovative technology-driven project DIYA - 'Digital Inclusion of Young Aspirants' - the young generation would be equipped with the necessary IT, English language and ancillary skills required for good employment.
Project DIYA is a result of the India Innovation Grant Programme by Citi Foundation, aimed at promoting innovation in the social sector, the organisers said.

In the first year of the programme, project DIYA impacted 1,000 youths in Andhra Pradesh through multiple 12 week market aligned training session leading towards employment as well as financial security.
"Over 750 of these youths are already meaningfully employed. DIYA is designed to impact four major barriers faced by the youth in developing countries - lack of information, soft skill gaps, limited access to gainful employment and being ill-equipped with tools - for success during job hunt.

This year, the programme would stretch across three states - Tamil Nadu, West Bengal and Maharashtra through six skill development centres to collectively impact 2,400 youths in the country.

Prasenjit Kundu, Executive Director, Anudip Foundation for Social Welfare, said, "Anudip is proud to be associated with Citi Foundation and with its support we seek to benefit more than two thousand beneficiaries across the country offering skills in manufacturing process automation and digital services."
Debasis Ghosh, Public Affairs Officer, Citi India said, "Project DIYA's curriculum is well suited to support the growing demand for a technology ready workforce, given India's imminent position as a global manufacturing and innovation hub.
"Citi is committed to help create economic opportunities for the youths in the country through Citi Foundation's India Innovation Grant Program and this partnership complements the Government's Skill India initiative," Ghosh said.

"We believe programmes such as Anudip's help catalyze sustainable societies that will drive India's socio-economic progress." he added.
Through six centres - two in Kolkata, two in Pune and two in Chennai, Anudip would upskill high school (class XII) pass students as well as graduates from low-income family groups through advanced curriculum covering Financial and Digital Literacy, Web Designing, Social Media Marketing, MOS (Microsoft Operating System), Cashless Transactions, Financial Accounting, Manufacturing Automation and e-Commerce along with effective soft skills.
The aim is to make them employable, but also to equip them entrepreneurially towards economic opportunities.