India’s employability numbers have seen a surge in the year of 2024, with India’s urban unemployment rate dropping to 6.4% in July-September 2024, down from 6.6% last year. The Labour Force Participation Rate (LFPR) also showed positive growth, rising to 50.4% from 49.3% in the same period last year. Additionally, the Worker Population Ratio (WPR) increased to 47.2%, up from 46.0% in the previous year, reflecting a broader inclusion of individuals in the workforce. These figures reflect the ongoing and collective efforts of government reforms, corporate support, and the active involvement of social development organisations, particularly Livelihood NGOs. Together, they are working towards building sustainable communities with a shared vision of a holistically developed India.
Our combined actions can drive meaningful change and progress.
Skill Development For Youth Empowerment in India
India has made substantial progress in skill development, focusing on harnessing the potential of its young population, especially those from underserved communities. The joint role between Livelihood NGOs, Corporates and Government initiatives have been pivotal in shaping this evolution, aiming to empower youth through targeted programs that enhance skills and create opportunities.
Significant Government Initiatives for Youth Development
India’s youth development initiatives reflect a deep commitment to empowering young people and fostering their socio-economic progress. The Skill India Mission aims to enhance employability by providing vocational training to millions, aligning skills with industry needs. The Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY) further supports this by offering industry-specific skills and placement assistance. Additionally, Startup India encourages youth entrepreneurship, while the National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (NAPS) bridges the education-industry gap. The Rashtriya Yuva Sashaktikaran Karyakram (RYSK) promotes leadership and entrepreneurial skills. These initiatives collectively strive to create opportunities, instilling hope and transforming the lives of India’s youth.
Livelihood NGOs & Corporate Social Partnerships
Going forward with the belief that the collective consciousness is towards having collective growth therefore, when it comes to developing every youth of the country and inspired by the government’s initiatives for youth empowerment in India, the Livelihood NGOs with the support of CSR initiatives have taken a serious interest in supporting underserved youth of India; with vocational skill development and opportunities that help them become independent while paving way for their communities to take steps towards social progress of the nation.
Why Partner with Livelihood NGOs?
NGOs for skill development in India like Smile Foundation’s STeP youth empowerment intervention has been working closely with the underserved youth of India to upskill them with learnings and tools that move them towards economic empowerment.
With core attention on gender equality and youth development, STeP has been involved in enabling the young population of India to overcome systemic barriers like limited access to quality education, a lack of financial support, and societal prejudices that restrict their opportunities.
Smile- Livelihood NGO for Skill Development
Smile Foundation’s livelihood initiative operates over 74 skilling centres and has organised more than 800 career counselling and industry exposure sessions. With strategic partnerships with over 400 major companies across industries such as insurance, banking, and healthcare, including ICICI Lombard, HDFC Life, and Fortis Hospital, the initiative has contributed to lowering unemployment rates by connecting youth with job opportunities.
Enhancing Skill Development through Collaborations
The Foundation has partnered with renowned industry experts such as the Wadhwani Foundation, NIIT Foundation, and Tata Strive to deliver effective vocational training. By continuously updating its curriculum in areas like BFSI, employability skills, and digital marketing, it ensures youth are equipped with the most relevant skills. Collaborations with companies like Quess Corp. and Better Place have facilitated job placements, impacting over 56,500 youths with successful employment outcomes.
Innovative Programs for Up-skilling
In 2021, Smile Foundation joined hands with Berger Paints to launch the iTrain on Wheels programme, which upskills painters by enhancing their techniques. By 2023, this initiative had trained 94,333 painters across 24 states through 19 mobile training vans, creating greater employment opportunities for skilled painters.
Creating Future Opportunities with Amazon
Collaborating with Amazon, Smile Foundation created 21st Century Learning Labs, providing hands-on training to youth. These labs focus on equipping participants with the necessary skills to succeed in modern industries.
Unite For Youth Development in India
Being a Livelihood NGO, Smile’s STeP gives skill training in Core Employability, Healthcare, BFSI, Retail management, Business Process Outsourcing and Digital Marketing. We equip our students with practical skills and professional etiquette – soft skills development, enhancing communication, teamwork, and problem-solving abilities crucial for workplace success.
One of the key successes of STeP is its robust placement assistance mechanism, which connects trained youth with reputable employers, thereby facilitating their integration into the formal job market. By securing gainful employment, STeP not only empowers youth but also catalyzes positive socio-economic change within their families and communities.
Therefore, if your CSR goals are envisioned to empower youth of India, we invite you to partner with us to promote entrepreneurial thinking and leadership qualities through workshops and mentorship for equipping youth with problem-solving skills necessary for success in today’s competitive environment. Furthermore, advocate with us for policies that prioritize youth development and inclusivity, while encouraging collaboration between collective positive action.
Let’s unite to build effective frameworks that drive sustainable youth empowerment and socio-economic growth.
