Over the past few decades, there have been significant interventions in the field of Skill Development both in quantity and quality. With increased investment and interest from the corporate houses, the sector has seen significant development over the last few years. This article throws some light on the best initiatives undertaken by CSR in Skill Development year in FY 2019-20.


1. Skill Development Institute

Source: SDIBhubhaneshwar

Name of the Company: Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL)

Location: Odisha

Total Expenditure on the Project: INR 150.59 Cr.

Total Prescribed CSR in FY 2019-20: INR 543.38 Cr.

Skill Development Institute (SDI) Bhubaneswar is a leading Skill Development Institute promoted by Oil PSUs and managed by Indian Oil Corporation Ltd. It is pioneer project under the aegis of Minister of Petroleum & Natural Gas to fulfil the vision of Skill India Mission of Government of India. Skill Development Institute, Bhubaneswar (SDI-B) was set up to provide opportunities for skilling to the unemployed and underprivileged youth of Odisha and provide skilled manpower to the industry. SDI-B provides trainings to the students with adequate skills to pursue career as Industrial Electricians, Welders, Computer Data Application (only for girls), Fitter Fabrication, Instrumentation Technicians, Pipe Fitters (City gas Distribution), Solar PV Installation and LPG Mechanic. About 240 students per batch are being skilled in 8 trade courses, which are of 3 -6 months duration each. During 2019-20, 780 youth were skilled and certified. Since inception, 1590 underprivileged youth have been skilled and certified. The permanent campus of SDI-B set up at Taraboi, Jatni, Odisha will become a megaworld-class model skill academy with technical support from National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC). Once fully functional, about 3,000 to 4,000 youth will be trained every year in 16 regular trades pertaining to hydrocarbon sector and local industries.

Brief about the Company: Indian Oil Corporation (IndianOil) is India's largest commercial enterprise. With a corporate vision to be 'The Energy of India' and to become 'A globally admired company,' their business interests straddle the entire hydrocarbon value-chain – from refining, pipeline transportation and marketing of petroleum products to exploration & production of crude oil & gas, marketing of natural gas and petrochemicals, besides forays into alternative energy and globalisation of downstream operations.

More about Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL) CSR Portfolio

2. Vocational training for employability & Upgradation of vocational training facilities

Source: MarutiSuzuki

Name of the Company: Maruti Suzuki India Limited

Location: Gujarat, Haryana, Pan India

Total Expenditure on the Project: INR 36.78 Cr.

Total Prescribed CSR in FY 2019-20: INR 166.6 Cr.

Maruti Suzuki has established two Japan-India Institutes for Manufacturing (JIM), one in Gujarat and the other in Haryana. This is the result of collaboration between the Governments of Japan and India to create a pool of skilled workforce for the Indian manufacturing industry. The first JIM was set up at Mehsana in Gujarat in 2017. JIM Mehsana offers National Council for Vocational Training (NCVT) approved technical training in seven trades related to automobile industry. It also conducts a supplementary course on Japanese manufacturing practices and processes covering soft skills such as Kaizen, 5S, and 3G, which is integrated with the NCVT curriculum for all the trades. The soft skill curriculum has been developed by the Association for Overseas Technical Cooperation and Sustainable Partnerships (AOTS), Japan under the guidance of Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI), Japan. Unique features of the JIM include mini vehicle assembly line, engine assembly line, safety lab, virtual welding simulators and spot-welding equipment that provide hands-on training to students to make them industry-ready. Students from the two batches who have graduated from JIM Mehsana have received 100% job placement. The Company has adopted 43 government-run Industrial Training Institutes (ITI) across 14 states in the country. The interventions are focused on upgrading workshop infrastructure, training on manufacturing trades and Japanese manufacturing practices as well as enhancing industry exposure for trainers and students. Additionally, soft skills are imparted to make students industry-ready and placement support   is also provided. Over 10,000 students were trained during the reporting period. Around 3,500 final year students were given placement support, of whom 72.5% were successfully placed. Automobile Skill Enhancement Centres (ASECs) have been set up in ITIs to impart training on trades such as Mechanic Motor Vehicle (MMV), Auto Body Repair (ABR) and Auto Body Paint (ABP) as well as new technologies. During the reporting period, over 3,300 students were trained at 83 ASECs in 26 states.
Brief about the Company: Maruti Suzuki India Limited is an automobile manufacturer in India. It is a subsidiary of Japanese automobile and motorcycle manufacturer Suzuki. Maruti Suzuki manufactures  sells a complete range of cars from the entry level Maruti 800 (discontinued), Alto, to the hatchback Ritz, Celerio, A-Star, Swift, Wagon R, Zen and sedans DeZire, Ciaz, Kizashi and SX4, in the 'C' segment Eeco, Omni, Multi Purpose vehicle Suzuki Ertiga and Sports Utility vehicle Grand Vitara.
More about Maruti Suzuki’s CSR Portfolio

3. Project Swabalamban & Contribution towards setting up Skill Development Institute

Source: Oil India Limited

Name of the Company: Oil India Limited
Location:  Assam
Total Expenditure on the Project: INR 27.84 Cr.
Total Prescribed CSR in FY 2019-20: INR 55.67 Cr.

OIL Swabalamban is placement linked skill & capacity building project leveraging on the demand for skilled manpower in various industrial and service sectors also in line with the Skill India programme of the Government. of India. The project aims at providing sustainable employment opportunities to the unemployed youths from OIL’s operational areas through various industry relevant placements linked skill & capacity building programs. A number of short-term courses/trades are offered under the project like construction industry trades (plumbing, masonry, carpentry, welding, etc.) housekeeping & hospitality, food & beverages, sewing machine operator, electrician, BPO/Voice calling, general duty assistant, etc. certified by NSDC, Govt. of India. Initially, the project was implemented in OIL’s operational districts of Upper Assam namely, Tinsukia, Dibrugarh and Charaideo. Since last three years, the project has been extended/replicated in other districts of Assam like Sivasagar, Jorhat, Golaghat, Karbi-Anglong, Lakhimpur, Kamrup, Dhemaji, Udalguri, Baksa, Bongaigaon, Sonitpur, Majuli, Nagaon, Morigaon, Darrang, Barpeta, Chirang, Kokrajhar, Biswanath, Nalbari, Goalpara and Dhubri as well Namsai and Changlang districts of Arunachal Pradesh. Since 2013-14, Project OIL Swabalamban had trained 18,117 and placed 14,220 candidates from various parts of Assam with maximum number of candidates from OIL’s operational areas of Upper Assam. In FY 2019-20, the trades offered were Electrician, General Duty Assistant, Food & Beverage, Sewing Machine Operator, CRM Domestic Voice, Housekeeping and Hospitality, Fitter, Customer Care Executive, Automotive Service Technician, Radiology Technician and Refractionist. Skill Development Institutes were set up by Oil & Gas PSU’s to focus on imparting skill training to the youth. Oil India Limited had set up SDI at Guwahati in the year 2017 to cater to the Skilling needs of youth of the North East Region. SDI, Guwahati conducts ten placement linked Skill Training Courses i.e. (1) Industrial Electrician (Oil& Gas) (2) Industrial Welder (Oil & Gas) (3) Food & Beverages Service-Steward (4) Certificate course in Machine Operation (5) Certificate Course in CNC Turning (6) Arise Room Air Conditioner & Home Appliances (7) Certificate Course in Fitter & Rigger (8) Emergency Medical Technician (9) General Duty Assistant (10) Sewing Machine Operator. Since 2017, the institute has trained nearly 1541 students, of which nearly 900 were trained in 2019-20. Beside SDI, Guwahati, OIL also contributes financially towards SDIs set up by other Oil & Gas PSUs across the country.

Implementing Partner: CIDC, New Delhi, IL&FS Education &Technology Services, New Delhi, Indian Institute of Entrepreneurship, Guwahati

Brief about the Company: The story of Oil India Limited (OIL) traces and symbolises the development and growth of the Indian petroleum industry. Today, OIL is a premier Indian National Oil Company engaged in the business of exploration, development and production of crude oil and natural gas, transportation of crude oil and production of LPG.

More about Oil India Limited’s CSR Portfolio

4. Asian Paints Limited

Source: Asian Paints

Name of the Company: Upskilling Program

Location:Odisha, Punjab, Jammu and Kashmir, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan,Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Haryana, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Telangana, Uttar Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Himachal Pradesh.

Total Expenditure on the Project: INR 26.07 Cr.

Total Prescribed CSR in the FY FY 2019-20: INR 57.51 Cr.

Asian Paints is invested in the concept of inclusive growth and believe that everyone should be given a fair chance at a dignified life. They are becoming the medium for more people to be given the opportunity to rise above their immediate realities and chase bigger dreams.

Colour Academy: Their aim with this singular endeavour is to hone talents in India, so that the nation may become a hub for outstanding skills in the paint application trade. We are committed to this mission and are contributing towards upskilling those with an inherent predilection for the work. Their training programmes cover a multitude of subjects, such as designer finishes, emulsions, metal care, mechanisation, water proofing, wood finishes and wallpaper installation. This helps painters connect with lucrative professional opportunities in the industry. Their academies are equipped with contemporary facilities to provide hands-on experience to the participants. The skill development programmes undertaken at the Colour Academy impart knowledge and expertise in the following ways: Vocational training, Technical knowledge distribution, Productivity and livelihood, Value creation through impactful people solutions. 50+ Colour Academies in India and ~1,47,400 Participants skilled until the FY 2019-20. Upskilling plumbers and carpenters: During the year they initiated upskilling programmes for plumbers in Himachal Pradesh and carpenters in Chennai with an objective to increase their earnings and disseminate knowledge and awareness to apprise them of latest techniques. The first training session for plumbers commenced in January 2020, for carpentry it was initiated in March 2020 with over 250 candidates completing the training during the year

Implementing Partner: Asian Paints Colour Academy

Brief about the Company: Since their foundation in 1942, Asian Paints has come a long way to become India’s leading and Asia’s fourth largest paint company. Driven by their strong consumer-focus and innovative spirit, they have been the market leader in paints since 1967. Today, they are double the size of any other paint company in India. They manufacture a wide range of paints for decorative and industrial use.

More about Asian Paint Limited’s  CSR Portfolio

5. Skill Development Project

Source: REC Limited

Name of the Company: REC Limited

Location: Pan India

Total Expenditure on the Project: INR 23.29 Cr.

Total Prescribed CSR in the FY 2019-20: INR 156.68 Cr.

Skill development is a focus area for REC, in line with national development objectives and has executed several programs to promote the same. The Job oriented skill development training programs to benefit approximately 43,456 youth and women especially for economically weaker sections of the society across various states of India. Around 23,296 have already completed their training and over 16,000 beneficiaries have been provided with self/wage employment opportunities. The count reached 17050 beneficiaries in the FY 2019-20. The Program is also supporting skilling and up-skilling and developing skill development centres in Jammu & Kashmir and Ladhak

Impact of the programs:

Implementing Partner: National Skill Development Fund/ National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC), Centre for Research and Industrial Staff Performance (CRISP), Samarthanam Trust for the Disabled

Brief about the Company: REC Limited (previously known as Rural Electrification Corporation Limited) is a Navratna company under the Ministry of Power. They fund their business with market borrowings of various maturities, including bonds and term loans apart from foreign borrowings, on their own.

More about REC Limited’s CSR Profile

6. Skill Development Initiatives

Name of the Company: Mahindra and Mahindra Limited

Location: Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Delhi, Gujarat, Jammu and Kashmir, Haryana, Kerala, Maharashtra, Punjab, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal

The Total Expenditure on the Project: INR 22.81 Cr.
Total Prescribed CSR in the FY 2019-20: INR 106.56 Cr.

Mahindra and Mahindra helped in creating India's first Zero Fatality Corridor on the Mumbai Pune Expressway through interventions in 4Es i.e. Engineering, Enforcement, Education and Emergency Response and implementing the ADAPT Program through which safe driving training is given to long haul truck drivers. There was a 43% reduction in fatalities in 4 years (FY 16-151 fatalities vs. FY 20 -86 fatalities). 780 Truck Drivers trained in – Anticipatory Driving and Accident Prevention Training (ADAPT) and 372 police/ security personnel trained in life saving skills in FY 20 -5,400 Long Haul Drivers trained since project inception - FY 16. The company helped to provide livelihood training for youth from socially & economically disadvantaged communities. In FY20, the company supported 9 schools in Pune, Patna, Chandigarh, Srinagar, Hyderabad, Varanasi and 3 in Chennai through which 6,045 students were trained. From inception till date 39,280 students have been trained and 100% have been placed. Of these, the Company has supported the schools in Chandigarh, Srinagar, Hyderabad, Varanasi & two in Chennai which cumulatively skilled 3,641 students in FY20. Further, an additional 71,248 students were trained through the Mahindra Pride Classrooms conducted in a number of Polytechnics and Arts & Science Colleges in 16 States of India. ­Classrooms provide 40-120 hours of training to final year students covering English Speaking, Life Skills, Aptitude, Interview, Group Discussion and Digital Literacy. The Mahindra Group as a whole supported the training of 1,01,391 students through the Mahindra Pride Classrooms. The company helped in providing skill Development for youth through vocational courses in auto sales & service, diesel generators training, driver training and ITI Upgradation - Infrastructure Development.

Implementing Partner: Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation Limited (MSRDC), K. C. Mahindra Education Trust, Naandi Foundation, Ashok Leyland Driver’s Training Institute etc.

Brief about the Company: Hero MotoCorp is India's leading two wheeler company, which has been providing customers with an excellent range of two wheelers that ensure both style and comfort.

More about Mahindra & Mahindra Limited’s CSR Profile

7. Skill & Vocational Training:

Source: ITC Limited

Name of the Company: ITC Limited

Location: Pan India

The total Expenditure on the Project: INR 16.91 Cr.

Total Prescribed CSR in the FY 2019-20: INR 326.17 Cr.

ITC's Skill & Vocational Training programme provides training in market linked skills to the youth to enable them to compete in the job market. 14,014 youth were enrolled under different courses during the year of which 44% were female and 34% belonged to the SC/ST communities. Cumulatively, 81,510 youth have been enrolled under this programme. The programme is operational in 34 districts of 17 states. In addition, 13 trainees have graduated in 2019-20 and 27 trainees are currently enrolled in the ITC Basic Kitchen Skills Foundation Programme of ITC Hospitality Management Institute, which is a comprehensive undergraduate programme on kitchen services. Since the inception of ITC Culinary Skills Training Centre in Chhindwara in 2014, 143 trainee chefs have successfully completed the six-month programme wherein cooking skills are imparted to youth from economically marginalised communities

Brief about the Company: ITC Limited is an Indian multinational conglomerate company headquartered in Kolkata, West Bengal. Established in 1910 as the 'Imperial Tobacco Company of India Limited', the company was renamed as the 'India Tobacco Company Limited' in 1970 and later to 'I.T.C. Limited' in 1974.

More about ITC Limited’s CSR Profile

8. iTrain Programme

Source: ibgnews.com

Name of the Company: Berger Paints Limited

Location: Pan India

The total Expenditure on the Project: INR 16.79 Cr.

Total Prescribed CSR in the FY 2019-20: INR 13.48 Cr.

Berger Paint Limited's iTrain continues to pursue its CSR project through its iTrain programme which continued to focus on skilling painters – both fresh and existing. The fresh painters were introduced to the painting process for creating employability. The existing painters were introduced to new products, processes, techniques, soft skills and customer handling which resulted in better efficiency and thereby positively impacting their earnings. The focus is to turn painters with enhanced skills into entrepreneurs and become employers of other painters. During the financial year 2019-2020, 66,504 painters were trained in the iTrains. During the year, the Company has conducted Paints & Coating Skill Council (www.pcsc.in) approved certification programs for painters with minimum 1 year experience under the National Skills Qualification Framework (NSQF). Qualifiers got co-branded Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) certificates with Sector Skills, National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) and the revered Ashok Sthamba Symbol of the Government of India. 1,228 painters were certified in the financial year 2019-2020.

Brief about the Company: Berger Paints India headquartered at Kolkata is acclaimed as a game changer in the sector with a vibrant portfolio of paints and tailor-made customer services in every paint segment.

More about Berger Paints Limited’s CSR Profile

9. Project Grow

Name of the Company: Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories Limited

Location: Pan-India

The total Expenditure on the Project: INR 13 Cr.

Total Prescribed CSR in the FY 2019-20: INR 24.49 Cr.

The Program Grow particularly aims at delivering high quality skill training to youth to help them get better skills and jobs. It particularly focuses on improving ‘Core Employability’ skills to ensure that the youth is equipped with appropriate knowledge and skills for his/her profession-of-choice and help pursue their career. In FY2020, they impacted 520 youth. Grow People with Disability, a skill development program, where differently abled youth are given training in market driven skills which enables them to gain a suitable employment opportunity.

Implementing Partner: Dr. Reddy's Foundation

Brief about the Company: Dr. Reddy's Laboratories is an Indian multinational pharmaceutical company based in Hyderabad, Telangana, India. They manufacture and market a wide range of pharmaceuticals in India and overseas.

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10. Non-Farm based Livelihood Program

Source: TCSRD

Name of the Company: Tata Chemicals Limited

Location: Gujarat, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu

The total Expenditure on the Project: INR 10.24 Cr.

Total Prescribed CSR in the FY 2019-20: INR 21.39 Cr.

Tata Chemicals has through its Non-Farm based Livelihood Program carried out Skill development programs for youths and for rural women artisans. Skill development - The Company is running skill development programmes in different locations to train unemployed youth and facilitate in their employment or entrepreneurship development. The vocational skill training includes Fashion & Technology, Welder technician, Fitter technician, Domestic electrician, Beauty & Wellness, etc. Attendant Operator Chemical Plant, Nursing Assistant, Electronics technician, Bar bending, Formwork carpenter, Diploma in fire & safety, Mechanic diesel, Automation, etc. The Company has set up technical skill training institute at Mithapur which has Affiliation with National Skill Development Corporation (‘NSDC’). The Company is also supporting Tata Strive Centre for running skill development centre at Aligarh and Industrial Training Institute (‘ITI’) at Dwarka. During the year, more than 1,550 youths were trained on different vocational skills which would help them get employment or start their own enterprises. Promotion and development of traditional handicrafts - Okhai: With the objective to create livelihood opportunities for rural women artisans, Okhai has been able to impact 2,366 artisans across India. Okhai provided support to the artisans through training, design development and online retail of the crafts. Okhai worked as a bridge between the artisans and the customers for scaling up the sale of their handicraft products by understanding customer needs, manufacturing the products with the help of the artisans and facilitating in sale through the Okhai website and its sales outlets. During the year, 600 products were launched online. Okhai’s sales has increased by 58%, impacting many more artisan groups and increase in their income. Okhai is now being recognised as a Sustainable & online Fashion Brand with over 1,90,000 online followers and 40,000 online customers.

Implementing Partner: National Skill Development Corporation, Tata Strive Centre, Industrial Training Institute (‘ITI’), Tata Chemicals Society for Rural Development, Uday Foundation

Brief about the Company: Established in 1939 in Mithapur in the Indian state of Gujarat, Tata Chemicals Limited (TCL) is a part of the Tata Group. They bring together their knowledge, expertise and innovation prowess to positively impact industries, consumers and farmers with their science-led products spread across three business verticals - Basic Chemistry, Consumer Products and Specialty Products

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