Dr Reddy's Foundation, govt to launch programme for youth

The Andhra Pradesh government, in association with Dr Reddy's Foundation (DRF), a corporate responsibility wing of Hyderabad-based Dr Reddy's Laboratories, will soon launch a livelihood advancement training programme covering 50,000 underprivileged youth in the state.

An MoU is expected to be signed between the state government's Youth Services Department and Dr Reddy's Foundation, for taking up the programme with a budgetary cost of Rs 16.97 crore shortly.

According to the officials, chief minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy was impressed with the project and has already given clearance to the Youth Services Department to go ahead with the programme.

While the entire cost for the implementation of the programme will be borne by the government, Dr Reddy's Foundation will facilitate identification of the very needy and eligible youth aged between 18 and 30 years with SSC (pass/fail) qualification and enable them gain access to sustainable livelihood.

A skill development training programme spanning a period of 12 to 18 months depending upon the specificity of modules including lifeskills development, job-related technical skills, workplace competencies and work readiness preparation, job shadowing among others will be undertaken for 50,000 youth in 142 municipalities of the state, according to the officials.