Smile Foundation’s skilling and livelihood programme have skilled thousands of young people and opened doors to opportunities that were once out of reach. Through the inspiring journeys of people from diverse backgrounds and diverse projects, we have a year where these very talented young people got skilled and placed in respectful workplaces.
Empowering Youth Through Livelihood Training
Stories like that of Vaitheeswari, a young woman from Bengaluru, highlight the impact of Smile Foundation’s STeP (Smile Twin e-Learning Programme). Having lost her father to blood cancer, she saw her mother work tirelessly as a maid to support her and her younger sister. Determined to lighten her family’s struggles, Vaitheeswari completed her M.Com and joined Smile Foundation’s skill development training in Banking, Financial Services, and Insurance (BFSI). Upon successful completion, she secured a position as an accountant in a reputed school, sharing:
“Now, I feel proud to share the responsibilities of my mother as well as my husband.”
This initiative, which combines soft skills, technical training, and placement assistance, continues to transform the lives of underserved youth, equipping them for high-demand sectors like retail, healthcare, BPO, digital marketing, BFSI, and IT-ITES.
Project Manzil: Bridging Vocational Education and Employment
In Rajasthan, Project Manzil, supported by IPE Global and implemented by Smile Foundation, has empowered over 50,000 girls from grades 9 to 12. The programme delivers counseling sessions addressing career opportunities, higher education, and personal growth. These sessions, many of which mark the girls’ first exposure to structured vocational guidance, inspire them to envision ambitious futures.
Gulafsha’s story exemplifies this impact. Raised in a struggling family of daily labourers, she received vocational training in retail and moved to Jaipur for a retail supermart job. Despite initial challenges, Gulafsha now contributes to her family’s well-being and supports her siblings’ education. She says:
“Each day brought new lessons, reinforcing the values my parents taught me and helping me grow stronger.”
Similarly, Yasmeen Khan from Ajmer defied financial constraints to pursue her dream of working with machines. With training in IT under Project Manzil, she now interns in her chosen field while contributing to her family. Yasmeen shares:
“The skills and confidence I gained opened new doors for me, proving that no dream is too big with the right support.”
Stories of resilience like that of Seethadevi remind us of the transformative power of education and support. After losing her father and sister, she joined Smile Foundation’s BFSI training program. Now employed as an accountant, she supports her family and ensures her mother can rest after years of hard work. Similarly, Bengaluru’s youth, guided through career counseling sessions under STeP, are finding paths toward brighter futures in the BFSI sector.
Upskilling Painters: iTrain on Wheels
The iTrain on Wheels initiative, a collaboration between Smile Foundation and Berger Paints India Ltd., has revolutionised vocational training for painters across 24 states. Through mobile iTrain vans, the programme has reached over 100 locations, providing hands-on training that enhances both technical skills and communication abilities.
In 2024, a special training session brought together drivers, supervisors, trainers, and applicators to refine their ability to deliver effective training sessions nationwide. By addressing communication barriers and ensuring content accessibility, the initiative empowers painters, including women, to enhance their employability and entrepreneurial potential.
To celebrate these transformative journeys, Smile Foundation and Berger Paints launched a coffee table book, “From Canvas to Community”, featuring 12 inspiring stories of painters who turned their lives around through this programme.
Recognition: Smile Foundation’s iTrain on Wheels initiative received the “Best Organisation of the Year in CSR Implementation” award at the Bharat CSR & Sustainability Conclave 2024, reflecting its success in uplifting thousands of painters and their families.
Creating New Pathways: IT-ITES Focused Training
In June 2024, Smile Foundation’s STeP programme in Bengaluru introduced IT-ITES-focused courses in collaboration with NSDC and NASSCOM. This initiative aims to prepare youth for the evolving tech industry by providing comprehensive, industry-aligned training. Students gain hands-on experience, receive professional development support, and are guided toward sustainable employment opportunities.
The Role of Community and Partnership
Berger Paints’ iTrain on Wheels programme stands out as a model for how private-public partnerships can address community needs. Beyond technical training, it elevates painting into an art form, enabling participants to improve their livelihoods and support their families.
Likewise, vocational training programmes under Project Manzil in Rajasthan emphasize employability across sectors like IT, healthcare, retail, and tourism. Through counseling and scholarships, Smile Foundation ensures no dream is out of reach for girls from underserved backgrounds.
Looking Ahead: Building More Futures Together
As Bipasha Patnaik, Head of Smile Foundation’s Livelihood Programme, observes:
“STeP is about believing in the youth and their ability to overcome challenges. Every single time one of these young adults secures a job, we know that we did make some change, that they will now live a better life. We hope to keep this circle of change going and helping many more in the coming years.”
The numbers speak for themselves, but it’s the stories of perseverance—of mothers who dream of better futures for their children, of daughters who take over family responsibilities, and of youth who rise above challenges—that truly encapsulate the spirit of Smile Foundation’s initiatives.
From hands-on vocational training to cutting-edge technical courses, each of our skilling and livelihood initiatives helped our young ones take steps toward independence and self-worth. As we move into 2025, our commitment to creating stories of resilience and opportunity only grows stronger—ensuring that more individuals can turn their aspirations into lasting realities.
