Bombay YMCA flags off its first Vocational Training Centre for rural youth at Kanhe, Lonavala
The pioneers in the field of vocational training of the vast labour force in urban cities. Bombay YMCA flagged off its first of its rural Vocational Training Centre at Kanhe in Vadgaon district near Lonavla, interconnecting both the twin cities Mumbai & Pune on Sat. 29Feb 2020 by the hands of Dr.Chin Seng Chen, President, Asia -& Pacific Alliance, YMCA. The inauguration was also attended by Shri. Sunil Shelke(MLA, Talegaon), Noel Ammana (President, Bombay YMCA), Justice J.B.Koshy (President, NCYI), Mr. Deepak Israni (Israni Foundation) and other eminent dignitaries.
The Vocational training center of Bombay YMCA will be providing craft skills pertinent to the industries spread in and around Kanhe. This will focus on helping 1400+ trade students yearly. They will be introducing new courses like Bedside Nursing/ paramedical courses, Beauty therapy, Sewing / Tailoring, Seed Co-operative, Natural farming methods besides conventional courses like Computer Training, Electrical and more. Vocational Training center will conduct night study classes as well in a hope to provide a utilitarian study atmosphere for 100+ students lacking the resources.
Dr.Chin Seng Chen, President, Asia & Pacific Alliance, YMCA who was in the country specially for the launch shared, “YMCA has always empowered the youth and addressed the needs of the underprivileged section of the society. With the launch of the first training center in 1994 and to reach to this fully equipped and modern training center Bombay YMCA has kept their pledge alive to keep the skills alive in the country and the younger generation will be the hope for further progress of the country and make the dreams come true.
While speaking at the inauguration, guest of honour Shri. Sunil Shelke (MLA, Talegaon) said, “The community in Maval region is happy that YMCA has chosen to start Vocational Training center to benefit the youth of the region. We are hopeful that with the help of Bombay YMCA, we will be able to create new entrepreneurs and jobs for the next generation and to promote reverse migration.”
Mr. Noel Ammana: President Bombay YMCA, shared, “Two new MIDCs have opened nearby at Talegaon & Chakan. This has raised a need of having a vocational Training center at Kanhe to equip local students with industry related skills, so they may get good jobs in industries around them. The Motto is Bombay YMCA is to serve the Society and this is an excellent opportunity for us to continue with serving the society.”
“This 23,000sq.ft vocational training center is built by YMCA with an investment of 7crs with support from various corporates and philanthropists. The launch of this vocational center also marks the commemoration of 145 years of YMCA in Mumbai.The Vocational training aspect of the YMCA Community Development Centre at Kanhe will be providing various vocational craft skills and help 1400+ trade students yearly. The night study classes also aims to provide a utilitarian study atmosphere for 100+ students lacking the resources. We will focus on rural youth from around 25 villages who will benefit and be job ready. We have signed MOU’s with Mahindra & Mahindra Group of Companies and Blue cross Laboratories Foundation for creating job opportunities for the youth who will graduate from the vocational center” shared Mr. Paul George, General Secretary/CEO of Bombay YMCA.
The YMCA Community Development Centre’s main focus, as part of its broader function of youth development, is to provide this vocational training, supplementary to the regular formal education. The Bombay YMCA hopes to use what it has learnt from its city projects to involve women folk into the vocational training drive, and help them become earning members for their families. The project plans to add to Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (2016 – 2020) is the flagship outcome-based Skill Training Scheme of the Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship (MSDE) which aims to train 10 million youths by 2020 pan India both in Rural and Urban areas.
A survey was conducted under the aegis of YMCA which highlighted that the youth in the region cannot find work due to a lack of trade related skills. With home financial levels being very low, students finishing secondary school do not look at college as a viable option as it does not offer employable skills. Factories, with the Make in India, initiative are opening up in this belt and require vocational skills.
The YMCA Community Development Centre (CDC) is a green site, with hostel facilities, training zones, study rooms, play areas, and community engagement halls. Designed with a very eco-friendly mind-set, the Centre uses modern conservation concepts like solar power, water harvesting, and will also have a bio-diverse mini-forest atop the structure. It will strive to be a pillar of the community!
ABOUT BOMBAY YMCA :
Bombay YMCA runs several programmes for the underprivileged such as the Boys Home – a home for orphans, the street children’s programme and rehabilitation of the commercial sex workers and their children. Besides, the YMCA provides clean and wholesome accommodation through hostels for students and working men and the many social service centres cater to the deprived and the marginalized.
The Young Mens’ Christian Association (YMCA) is one of the oldest and largest non-profit community service organizations in India. A community based organization; we work collaboratively with government and non-government organizations, and partners to provide a range of programmes and services to build strong people, strong families, and strong communities for last 145 years.
