Service sector skilling for underserved youth

Cognizant Foundation has adopted “Service sector skilling for underserved youth” as one of its programmes under livelihood. Under this programme, deserving underserved youth undergo short-term skill training programmes that offer skill-building, life skills training and job placements. The candidates are from economically and socially disadvantaged backgrounds, both rural and urban.

The candidates undergo skill training in their chosen trade, basic English and computer literacy and life skills. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the original traditional residential and classroom training model is replaced with a “hybrid skill training model”. In this model, the candidates are mobilized through digital platforms and provided with basic fundamental skill training through virtual training.  On successful completion of training, a minimum of 70% to 75% of the trained candidates get gainful employment.

In the last few years, the Foundation has implemented various skills training projects in Kerala, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, Telangana and Maharashtra in partnership with Aide-et-Action, Don Bosco Tech Society, Hand in Hand India, Anudip Foundation, Dr Reddy’s Foundation and Pratham Education Foundation.

The Foundation has supported skill training in the following trades – ITES/Retail, Hospitality and Healthcare.